Latest news with #CurioCollectionbyHilton
USA Today
12-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Great walks: Architect of McLemore's The Keep says 'you just don't ever want to go home'
Great walks: Architect of McLemore's The Keep says 'you just don't ever want to go home' McLemore Resort has come a long way in a short time, its ascent as steep as the cliff above which it sits atop Lookout Mountain. Already home to the Highlands Course, ranked by Golfweek's Best as the No. 3 public-access course in Georgia, the resort property last year added Cloudland, a luxurious new addition to the Curio Collection by Hilton. With 245 guest rooms, many of which offer simply ridiculous views across the cliff's edge and of surrounding mountains – plus 20,000 square feet of event space, a spa and a wide array of dining options – Cloudland has elevated McLemore's accommodations into rare air. Up next: The Keep. Already accepting limited preview play, this new 18-hole course takes the clifftop theme to new heights. With five of its 18 holes playing directly on the cliff's edge, offering long views across the valley below, this newest addition has a planned grand opening of Sept. 8 with a clubhouse and amenities to follow at a yet-to-be-determined date. And it's not just the cliffside holes – the more inland holes play across higher ground, offering full views across the mostly open course and the cliff beyond. The Keep was built by the design partnership of Bill Bergin and Rees Jones, with Bergin as the lead architect. Bergin is a former touring golf professional who spent many years in Europe and played in more than 250 events, including three U.S. Opens and two British Opens. He launched Bergin Golf Designs in 1994 and has been involved in more than 100 course projects. Bergin's work includes a renovation to McLemore's original course, Highlands, where he and Jones introduced a new par-4 18th hole that hugs the cliff with such intimacy as to induce panic in any golfer with a fear of heights – it's often cliché to call a golf hole stunning, but in this case and for some such golfers, it's an appropriate use of the word. Following are a few of Bergin's thoughts and recollections on designing The Keep, edited for length. Golfweek: Just going back in time about four years, what were your impressions the first time you got up to the site that would become The Keep? Bill Bergin: All it had on it were some Jeep trails, and it was all covered with trees. When we were going to take somebody out there, we would take the Jeep trail that stopped basically at the end of the ground that we used for golf, which happens to be about where the 18th green is now. And there was a tiny opening there with beautiful, native fescue grasses. Nobody had planted them, they were just there. And there was a rock outcropping that allowed you to sit right on the edge of this rock, and it dropped off more than 50 feet. You looked out over the entire place, and it was sort of overwhelming. Everybody wanted to get to that spot. That was pretty exciting the first time. There were enough little trails that we were able to get around the site. We found an old still, believe it or not – I wouldn't have wanted to drink anything that was made out of that still. I could assure you that was not trustworthy alcohol. The difference between The Keep and the other course is, the other course has valleys, and it gets to the cliff edge, and it's actually more diverse terrain. It was obviously routed through that diverse terrain, but that caused some pretty good distances between greens and tees, with carts being a must on that golf course. At The Keep, our managing partner called it 'mountain flat.' Well, I know better than that, but it is really pretty. So maybe that was the proper term. What excited you about doing the routing for The Keep? Actually, I routed two golf courses. I routed for 36 holes with The Keep intact now as one set of those 18 holes. That's how good the land was. I literally could put 36 holes on it if they wanted. But being able to use the best land and the best views for the golf course, I've never worked on a project like that where that's been available, because there's always a consideration for something else. And the consideration for The Keep was 100 percent golf. It's definitely a core golf course. Then we started the routing process, and of course you're going to use that cliff's edge, and that becomes the unique part of the routing process. So these were really early days of examining the property, and Duane (Horton, CEO and president of Scenic Land Company) didn't care about returning nines but more about starting and finishing at the spot where we met on that property the first time. Every time we'd go look at the property, we'd go to that spot, and that's where the golf course starts and finishes. So that's pretty cool. No. 18 green kind of plays down toward it. There were some old fold-up lawn chairs there back when we first started looking at the property. And now there will be some Adirondack chairs in the same general area. There's really something very, very special at that spot. It's the kind of place where you want to have a nice Scotch or a bourbon or whatever your drink of choice, and you just don't ever want to go home. Would you describe it as a once-in-a-lifetime site for an architect? It certainly feels like it. No one would call this a site that was just made for golf, because it's rocky. We were building on rock, not sand. So what looks like an easy course to build was very challenging. Below the turf, we didn't have to move a bunch of dirt. We didn't have any dirt to move, honestly. We cleared about 200 acres and only moved about 300,000 cubic yards of dirt, most of it around Nos. 1, 13 and 17, right in there. Otherwise, the golf course just lays on the ground beautifully. We have five holes right on the cliff, and we go along the cliff from the tip of property to the far tip of property. You have quite a bit of width out there at The Keep. Most of the fairways are quite wide, a few with centerline bunkers or even divided fairways. Why was width important for The Keep? The scale of the property dictated that we wanted a big golf course. The big views influence that scale. And once you size up the scale in your mind, everything really needs to fit that. Big fairways, big bunkers, lots of tee options. So we have about 90 acres of basically fairway-cut grass. And then we have 90 acres of native fescue grass. The other thing about it, when you clear 200 acres on the edge of Lookout Mountain, wind becomes a factor. Not every day – some days are just spectacularly gorgeous – but often there's a breeze out there. And if we didn't have those big playing corridors, it would be way too hard. And so that width gives players the ability to be comfortable off the tee, and then you have to become more precise the closer you move to the green. Hopefully we've created enough strategic interests where positioning matters depending on the hole location. That's more for a member than it is for a resort player, just because it takes time to develop that relationship with a golf course to really understand it. Hopefully our resort players want to come back and play it again and again, and then they start to learn the nuance. But in the beginning, it needs to be playable and fun and exciting. For much of my personal design work, I usually actually prefer a little bit smaller greens with interesting and diverse areas around them. That's the way I like golf. But at The Keep, we have bigger greens because a small green would look ridiculous. On a site that big, it just wouldn't fit right. Speaking of your greens, how would you describe them? The greens are probably the biggest mix between Rees and I. His biggest contribution would be on about half the greens, although I still supervised all of them. For the greens, we look for good diversity there. These are more gradually rolling. I will say this, I think right now we're in an architectural trend where some architects overcook greens. I really believe that, and we did not do that at The Keep. Instead, we have some sneaky, subtle stuff out there. Personally, as a former tour player, I just think we as architects as a whole are trying too hard sometimes to make things look good on photographs. And if it looks like there's a lot going on in a photograph, it's usually not very good in real life. It's always walking a line. People want greens to be interesting, but you don't want them to be unfair or just silly. And so our greens, they're very subtle. Was walking an integral part of The Keep from the beginning when you laid it out, because it is generally a pretty short walk from greens to the next tee. Yes, 100 percent. In fact, before we designed the golf course, before we even did grading plans, I did elevation analysis on every hole from every green to the next tee, and down to the landing area, and then to the green. And it's amazing how nicely it all came together. The biggest challenge we have is actually 16 to 17. But that's a downhill walk. If you're a back-tee player, 12 green up to 13 tee is a bit of a hike up the hill, but that's it really. I can't quote what the owners might have in mind, but I would like 75 percent of the people to play The Keep to walk and 25 percent to take carts next year or later this year when we have carts. Has your design philosophy changed any over the years? Ever since I started out, I have three pillars that every architect always has – I mean, I'm not alone on this. We want a great course mechanically, we want it to be interesting strategically, and we want it to be beautiful. So we design mechanically first, and that has always been where we go first. We are the superintendent's friend. I give the superintendent something good to work with, so he can produce golf that people will really enjoy. I would say in my early days, I was more into strategy and mechanics. And in my later days, I'm adding way more of the artistic elements into what I do. I think that my artistic ability has increased a lot. At The Keep, I didn't like leaving the golf course. I wanted to be the last person off the property every evening because it's just a place that speaks to me, and I love that. So I think the key is, it's the epitome of very interesting, memorable, strategic golf. And the beauty is undeniable, almost to a point of distraction. What has it been like to see that entire property evolve to today with two courses plus a hotel? It is truly beyond my imagination. And I give 100 percent credit to all of the team, but especially Duane Horton. He's a visionary. Two of the words that we use up there a lot are persistence and perseverance, because that property went through a lot of problems before we got to this point. And Duane's done it. They have exceeded my expectations by a lot. And I would say that experience is kind of a cool word, because going to McLemore in general is an experience, and I think it's a can't-miss experience. Not just The Keep, it's the Highlands too – they're completely different courses. And staying at that hotel and coming out and playing golf for several days is an incredible privilege. I can't wait for more people to experience what I've seen and just be on the ground in that part of the world. It's special.
Mid East Info
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Mid East Info
A Vibrant Journey into Authentic Mexican Flavours Awaits at the Bold New Iteration of ZOCO in V Hotel Dubai
Get ready for a fiesta of flavours as Dubai's vibrant dining scene welcomes an exciting new chapter. ZOCO, located on the seventh floor of V Hotel Dubai, Curio Collection by Hilton in Al Habtoor City, has just unveiled its highly anticipated rebrand, bringing diners a bold new take on Mexican hospitality and cuisine. The eclectic eatery has now transformed into a lovely Mexican haven, blending authentic flavours, and the unrivalled spirit of Mexico, all under the expert guidance of Chef Harold Nostas Coutino. Embracing the soul of Mexican culture, the reimagined ZOCO offers guests an immersive culinary journey. From the vibrant atmosphere to the tropical house beats filling the air, every detail has been curated to transport diners straight to the bustling streets of Cancun, Tijuana or Guadalajara. With a focus on authentic flavours and traditional cooking techniques, ZOCO invites guests to experience the true essence of Mexican cuisine right in the heart of Dubai. Mexican cuisine, recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, is a rich tapestry of flavours, stories and traditions. At ZOCO, this mouthwatering culinary culture comes to life through a menu that goes beyond the familiar, celebrating Mexico's diverse regional dishes and the stories behind them. Showcasing both street food favourites and refined classics, each dish reflects the passion and history embedded in Mexican gastronomy. Hailing from Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, Chef Harold Nostas Coutino is the man behind this culinary phenomenon, bringing a wealth of experience and passion to ZOCO's new chapter. His journey in food began at just 16, leading him to work alongside some of Latin America's most renowned chefs, including Jonatan Gómez Luna at Le Chique and Alex Atala at D.O.M. His diverse background, from fine dining to leading large-scale dining experiences at Xcaret Park, has shaped his unique approach to Mexican cuisine. Now at the helm of ZOCO, Chef Harold infuses the menu with his deep-rooted love for Mexican flavours and traditions. His vision is clear: to showcase the rich diversity of Mexican cuisine, moving beyond the clichés and introducing Dubai to the bold, complex, and authentic tastes of his homeland. ZOCO's new menu is an exciting celebration of Mexican culinary traditions, offering guests a variety of bold and flavourful dishes. Highlights include the legendary Burritos, a dish steeped in folklore tracing back to the Mexican Revolution and packed with beef, guacamole, Mexican rice, pico de gallo, refried beans and habanero pesto. The Tostada de Pulpo also offers a delightful crunch topped with fire-roasted octopus, guajillo chili, garlic cream, and roasted mango. Guests can further savour the gooey Queso Fundido with Monterrey Jack cheese, roasted chicken chorizo, and flour tortillas, or enjoy the sizzling Fajitas served on a fiery iron pan with onions, peppers and a unique Mar y Tierra twist. For taco lovers, the Tacos de Suadero deliver slow-cooked brisket with avocado, caramelised onions and a crispy cheese crust. For heartier appetites, the Asado de Tira, which comprises grilled short ribs marinated in lime juice, served with padron peppers and Mexican rice, is a must-try. The Enchiladas feature corn tortillas stuffed with tinga de pollo and topped with green tomatillo sauce and refried beans, while dessert lovers can indulge in classic Churros dusted with cinnamon and served with rich chocolate sauce. Complementing the menu is an extensive selection of signature drinks, from customisable Margaritas and Palomas to traditional Micheladas and Cervecitas. Guests can also explore more adventurous options like the Sureño and Espuma de Mezcal or sip on refreshing Agua de Jamaica straight from Mexico. With its innovative new identity, ZOCO invites diners to embark on an unforgettable culinary adventure. Perfect for a casual evening with friends, a festive celebration, or if you're simply craving for authentic Mexican flavours, ZOCO promises a vibrant atmosphere, soulful beats and a menu that tells the rich stories of Mexico's culinary heritage. Make your way to the seventh floor of V Hotel Dubai and experience the true taste of Mexico without leaving Dubai.
Forbes
08-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
McLemore Keeps Getting Better As A Golf Getaway With New Course Debut
The closing hole of the original course at McLemore Resort in Georgia has been recognized as one of ... More the best finishing holes in golf. And helped give rise to an expansion at McLemore that includes a new 18-hole course called The Keep. The 18th hole at the original Highlands course at McLemore Resort gets incredible attention in social media posts, and deservedly so. The cliff-hugging par 4 is among the most impressive finishing holes in golf and has given rise to McLemore's tagline 'Golf Above the Clouds' while spawning significant interest in the mountaintop destination property tucked into the corner of northwest Georgia. While the 18th hole of the Highlands Course may command attention, it's the new course at McLemore that will soon be the scene-stealer. Spread across a plateau atop Lookout Mountain, The Keep takes its name from the majestic cliffside views reminiscent of Europe's historic castles. The Bill Bergin and Rees Jones design, which officially made its debut this year, offers dramatic holes situated 1,000 feet above McLemore Cove's valley floor. 'The setting for The Keep is extraordinary due to its mix of naturally rolling terrain and the edge of the ridge line,' said Bergin. 'We were able to combine a well-balanced golf experience with captivating views to create an unmatched experience.' The 18th hole at The Keep, the newest course at the McLemore Resort in Northwest Georgia. McLemore operates The Keep as a member club, however the new course is accessible to guests staying at the Cloudland at McLemore Resort, part of the Curio Collection by Hilton. But The Keep isn't simply complementing the existing course and the golf offerings at McLemore, it's immediately positioned as one of the most jaw-dropping new additions to the world of destination golf. While the opening and closing holes of the Highlands Course offer long-range views of the surrounding area, The Keep offers a far more expansive mountain golf experience with breathtaking vistas throughout. The Keep is essentially a links-style design on a mountain tabletop, with five holes that play along the cliff edges, called 'brows.' The 'Wow factor' is about as high as the setting at The Keep, which features windswept width and angles, visually dynamic exposed rock, and a healthy dose of elevation change that fits the mountain theme on a layout that's currently walking-only. The 10th hole at The Keep in the foreground sits on the edge of the ridgeline, while the other back ... More nine holes in the distance climb up and down the rolling terrain atop Lookout Mountain. As the course climbs and dives across the landscape from holes 14-16, the views and challenge are enough to quiet even longtime and loquacious Golf Channel host Charlie Rymer, who today is an executive vice president for McLemore. 'At that stretch, even I let other people talk for a while,' Rymer said during a recent lunch at McLemore's golf clubhouse restaurant, The Creag, where the former PGA Tour player spoke so highly of the property that he didn't take a bite of his sandwich for over an hour. This is no small feat for the 6-foot-4 Rymer, who guests will find has a corner of the McLemore golf shop with apparel size XXL and above named after him. As good as the Highlands Course is – in particular, that bucket-list 18th hole that's inspired some serious golf wanderlust on social media – Rymer says there's no question which is his favorite course. And which course will emerge as the top choice of visiting golfers. The Keep is just that good, despite being laid out on a rocky expanse of land that Bergin, who has been involved in more than 100 course projects, says wasn't exactly made for golf. The ninth green along the cliffside at The Keep at McLemore. Once home to only trees and jeep trails, along with an old still for making moonshine, the land required intensive clearing – about 200 acres in total – but not a lot of dirt moving. The fairways, greens, bunkers and teeing areas are spacious, in keeping with the scale of a site which is dictated by its expansive views. The layout is both strategic and memorable, with natural beauty that at times may pose a distraction. 'We are very proud of the routing and how it allows each hole to stand on its own regarding memorability, yet one never loses the big picture or the views,' said Bergin. McLemore's par-3 short course, The Cairn, sits in the foreground with the resort's golf clubhouse in ... More the back right and the 18th hole of the original Highlands course sitting on the edge of the cliff to the left. Beyond golf, McLemore immediately thrusts itself into the conversation as a conference and corporate getaway for Atlanta-based companies and businesses throughout Georgia which have long turned to places like the Ritz-Carlton at Reynolds Lake Oconee and Callaway Resort & Gardens. And the Chattanooga market is even closer, just over 1/2 hour away from the McLemore resort, while Nashville, Knoxville, Birmingham and Huntsville are all two hours or less away. Cloudland is the definition of a getaway, with a 245-room hotel, 20,000 square-foot conference center, a full-service spa and fitness center, and a multitude of dining options perched on cliffs more than 2,000 feet above sea level. There are also four guest golf cottages along with spacious residential homes and villas that are part of the broader master-planned McLemore community. Last year marked the unveiling of the Golf Village, an intimate enclave of single-family homes near the main clubhouse. The golf clubhouse at McLemore at twilight. The 18th hole of the original course at McLemore may have thrust the north Georgia property into the national consciousness as a must-see golf destination, but the addition of the second course will keep it there for years to come.
Trade Arabia
29-03-2025
- Trade Arabia
SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection introduce sober spirits
SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton at CROSSROADS Maldives have introduced Sober Spirits, a range of premium alcohol-free distilled spirits. This initiative caters to those who love the craft of spirits and cocktails but prefer to skip the buzz. The magic behind Sober Spirits lies in its meticulous crafting process, which involves an initial distillation before alcohol is gently removed using state-of-the-art techniques. The result is an authentic, alcohol-free flavor profile. Sober Spirits Gin 0.0% and Rum 0.0% bring the depth, complexity, and aromatic experience of classic spirits to the table. They can be enjoyed neat, paired with mixers, or stirred into inventive mocktails. Lyre's Amaretti Non-Alcoholic adds a nutty and sweet sophistication to the sober sipping experience. Guests at SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton, and dining hotspots in the Marina can now experience this first-of-its-kind offering. They can enjoy zero-proof Mojitos, herbaceous G&Ts, or enjoy Sober Spirits on the rocks for an extraordinary moment. -TradeArabia News Service
USA Today
18-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Splendidly situated: Architect Bill Bergin shares thoughts on new Georgia course The Keep
Splendidly situated: Architect Bill Bergin shares thoughts on new Georgia course The Keep McLemore Resort has come a long way in a short time, its ascent as steep as the cliff above which it sits atop Lookout Mountain. Already home to the Highlands Course, ranked by Golfweek's Best as the No. 3 public-access course in Georgia, the resort property last year added Cloudland, a luxurious new addition to the Curio Collection by Hilton. With 245 guest rooms, many of which offer simply ridiculous views across the cliff's edge and of surrounding mountains – plus 20,000 square feet of event space, a spa and a wide array of dining options – Cloudland has elevated McLemore's accommodations into rare air. Up next: The Keep. Already accepting limited preview play, this new 18-hole course takes the clifftop theme to new heights. With five of its 18 holes playing directly on the cliff's edge, offering long views across the valley below, this newest addition has a planned grand opening of Sept. 8 with a clubhouse and amenities to follow at a yet-to-be-determined date. And it's not just the cliffside holes – the more inland holes play across higher ground, offering full views across the mostly open course and the cliff beyond. The Keep was built by the design partnership of Bill Bergin and Rees Jones, with Bergin as the lead architect. Bergin is a former touring golf professional who spent many years in Europe and played in more than 250 events, including three U.S. Opens and two British Opens. He launched Bergin Golf Designs in 1994 and has been involved in more than 100 course projects. Bergin's work includes a renovation to McLemore's original course, Highlands, where he and Jones introduced a new par-4 18th hole that hugs the cliff with such intimacy as to induce panic in any golfer with a fear of heights – it's often cliché to call a golf hole stunning, but in this case and for some such golfers, it's an appropriate use of the word. Following are a few of Bergin's thoughts and recollections on designing The Keep, edited for length. Golfweek: Just going back in time about four years, what were your impressions the first time you got up to the site that would become The Keep? Bill Bergin: All it had on it were some Jeep trails, and it was all covered with trees. When we were going to take somebody out there, we would take the Jeep trail that stopped basically at the end of the ground that we used for golf, which happens to be about where the 18th green is now. And there was a tiny opening there with beautiful, native fescue grasses. Nobody had planted them, they were just there. And there was a rock outcropping that allowed you to sit right on the edge of this rock, and it dropped off more than 50 feet. You looked out over the entire place, and it was sort of overwhelming. Everybody wanted to get to that spot. That was pretty exciting the first time. There were enough little trails that we were able to get around the site. We found an old still, believe it or not – I wouldn't have wanted to drink anything that was made out of that still. I could assure you that was not trustworthy alcohol. The difference between The Keep and the other course is, the other course has valleys, and it gets to the cliff edge, and it's actually more diverse terrain. It was obviously routed through that diverse terrain, but that caused some pretty good distances between greens and tees, with carts being a must on that golf course. At The Keep, our managing partner called it 'mountain flat.' Well, I know better than that, but it is really pretty. So maybe that was the proper term. What excited you about doing the routing for The Keep? Actually, I routed two golf courses. I routed for 36 holes with The Keep intact now as one set of those 18 holes. That's how good the land was. I literally could put 36 holes on it if they wanted. But being able to use the best land and the best views for the golf course, I've never worked on a project like that where that's been available, because there's always a consideration for something else. And the consideration for The Keep was 100 percent golf. It's definitely a core golf course. Then we started the routing process, and of course you're going to use that cliff's edge, and that becomes the unique part of the routing process. So these were really early days of examining the property, and Duane (Horton, CEO and president of Scenic Land Company) didn't care about returning nines but more about starting and finishing at the spot where we met on that property the first time. Every time we'd go look at the property, we'd go to that spot, and that's where the golf course starts and finishes. So that's pretty cool. No. 18 green kind of plays down toward it. There were some old fold-up lawn chairs there back when we first started looking at the property. And now there will be some Adirondack chairs in the same general area. There's really something very, very special at that spot. It's the kind of place where you want to have a nice Scotch or a bourbon or whatever your drink of choice, and you just don't ever want to go home. Would you describe it as a once-in-a-lifetime site for an architect? It certainly feels like it. No one would call this a site that was just made for golf, because it's rocky. We were building on rock, not sand. So what looks like an easy course to build was very challenging. Below the turf, we didn't have to move a bunch of dirt. We didn't have any dirt to move, honestly. We cleared about 200 acres and only moved about 300,000 cubic yards of dirt, most of it around Nos. 1, 13 and 17, right in there. Otherwise, the golf course just lays on the ground beautifully. We have five holes right on the cliff, and we go along the cliff from the tip of property to the far tip of property. You have quite a bit of width out there at The Keep. Most of the fairways are quite wide, a few with centerline bunkers or even divided fairways. Why was width important for The Keep? The scale of the property dictated that we wanted a big golf course. The big views influence that scale. And once you size up the scale in your mind, everything really needs to fit that. Big fairways, big bunkers, lots of tee options. So we have about 90 acres of basically fairway-cut grass. And then we have 90 acres of native fescue grass. The other thing about it, when you clear 200 acres on the edge of Lookout Mountain, wind becomes a factor. Not every day – some days are just spectacularly gorgeous – but often there's a breeze out there. And if we didn't have those big playing corridors, it would be way too hard. And so that width gives players the ability to be comfortable off the tee, and then you have to become more precise the closer you move to the green. Hopefully we've created enough strategic interests where positioning matters depending on the hole location. That's more for a member than it is for a resort player, just because it takes time to develop that relationship with a golf course to really understand it. Hopefully our resort players want to come back and play it again and again, and then they start to learn the nuance. But in the beginning, it needs to be playable and fun and exciting. For much of my personal design work, I usually actually prefer a little bit smaller greens with interesting and diverse areas around them. That's the way I like golf. But at The Keep, we have bigger greens because a small green would look ridiculous. On a site that big, it just wouldn't fit right. Speaking of your greens, how would you describe them? The greens are probably the biggest mix between Rees and I. His biggest contribution would be on about half the greens, although I still supervised all of them. For the greens, we look for good diversity there. These are more gradually rolling. I will say this, I think right now we're in an architectural trend where some architects overcook greens. I really believe that, and we did not do that at The Keep. Instead, we have some sneaky, subtle stuff out there. Personally, as a former tour player, I just think we as architects as a whole are trying too hard sometimes to make things look good on photographs. And if it looks like there's a lot going on in a photograph, it's usually not very good in real life. It's always walking a line. People want greens to be interesting, but you don't want them to be unfair or just silly. And so our greens, they're very subtle. Was walking an integral part of The Keep from the beginning when you laid it out, because it is generally a pretty short walk from greens to the next tee. Yes, 100 percent. In fact, before we designed the golf course, before we even did grading plans, I did elevation analysis on every hole from every green to the next tee, and down to the landing area, and then to the green. And it's amazing how nicely it all came together. The biggest challenge we have is actually 16 to 17. But that's a downhill walk. If you're a back-tee player, 12 green up to 13 tee is a bit of a hike up the hill, but that's it really. I can't quote what the owners might have in mind, but I would like 75 percent of the people to play The Keep to walk and 25 percent to take carts next year or later this year when we have carts. Has your design philosophy changed any over the years? Ever since I started out, I have three pillars that every architect always has – I mean, I'm not alone on this. We want a great course mechanically, we want it to be interesting strategically, and we want it to be beautiful. So we design mechanically first, and that has always been where we go first. We are the superintendent's friend. I give the superintendent something good to work with, so he can produce golf that people will really enjoy. I would say in my early days, I was more into strategy and mechanics. And in my later days, I'm adding way more of the artistic elements into what I do. I think that my artistic ability has increased a lot. At The Keep, I didn't like leaving the golf course. I wanted to be the last person off the property every evening because it's just a place that speaks to me, and I love that. So I think the key is, it's the epitome of very interesting, memorable, strategic golf. And the beauty is undeniable, almost to a point of distraction. What has it been like to see that entire property evolve to today with two courses plus a hotel? It is truly beyond my imagination. And I give 100 percent credit to all of the team, but especially Duane Horton. He's a visionary. Two of the words that we use up there a lot are persistence and perseverance, because that property went through a lot of problems before we got to this point. And Duane's done it. They have exceeded my expectations by a lot. And I would say that experience is kind of a cool word, because going to McLemore in general is an experience, and I think it's a can't-miss experience. Not just The Keep, it's the Highlands too – they're completely different courses. And staying at that hotel and coming out and playing golf for several days is an incredible privilege. I can't wait for more people to experience what I've seen and just be on the ground in that part of the world. It's special.
