Latest news with #Streamsong
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Why Links Golf and Britain's Ancient Courses Hit Differently Than Anything We Have in America
Why Links Golf and Britain's Ancient Courses Hit Differently Than Anything We Have in America originally appeared on Athlon Sports. I've never been to Scotland. Everything I know about links golf comes from television and magazines. But from my home course in Florida, where developers spent millions trying to recreate the Scottish experience, the difference is obvious. You can build something that looks like links golf, feels like links golf, even plays like links golf. What you can't manufacture is 500 years of history. Advertisement Right now, as the Scottish Open kicks off golf's most sacred month, we're about to witness something American golf will never possess: authenticity. We're Playing Someone Else's Game Here's what stings: Golf isn't ours. While we've perfected titanium drivers and GPS yardage books, the game itself was born on Scottish shores where shepherds whacked stones with sticks. Those early courses weren't designed — they evolved. Nature carved the holes, wind shaped the strategy, centuries of play refined every bunker. Links golf strips away the pretense. Sandy soil drains perfectly, creating firm conditions that reward creativity over power. No trees means nowhere to hide from wind. Pot bunkers punish wayward shots with medieval cruelty. Advertisement Old Tom Morris understood this when he refined St. Andrews and designed Prestwick in the 1860s. At St. Andrews, he maintained holes that had evolved naturally over centuries. At Prestwick, he designed new holes that worked with the land's natural contours. Morris wasn't imposing his vision — he was revealing what the land wanted to become. View the original article to see embedded media. Compare that to how we build courses in the United States. We move mountains to create "natural" terrain. We install drainage systems that cost more than most people's houses. We manufacture difficulty instead of discovering it. Our Magnificent American Interpretations Look, I'm not bashing American golf architecture. We have incredible courses here. When I walked off the 18th green at Streamsong's three courses, I shook my head at how good they are. Tom Doak's Blue Course was pure genius. Coore and Crenshaw's Red Course feels like it's been there forever. Gil Hanse's Black Course — completely different vibe, but it works. Advertisement Cabot Citrus Farms blew me away. The Karoo course is everything you want in modern American design. They call it "a modern take on classic links-style golf," which sounds like marketing speak, but they're right. Even older attempts like Grand Cypress and Innisbrook's South Course understood what made links golf special. View the original article to see embedded media. But here's what nags at me: they're all translations. Beautiful translations of something born somewhere else. It's like watching a perfectly dubbed foreign film — you get the story, you appreciate the craft, but you know you're not experiencing the original. These American courses nail the technical aspects. They understand firm and fast. They get the strategic elements. But something's missing, something you can't engineer or budget for. Maybe it's time. Maybe it's the weight of history. I don't know what to call it. Advertisement The Men Who Built a Tradition The great British golf architects weren't artists — they were craftsmen. Old Tom Morris approached design like a carpenter: Solve the problem, work with the materials, make it last. His routing at St. Andrews follows natural contours because fighting the land was pointless. The famous Road Hole wasn't designed to be iconic — it became iconic through decades of championship drama. Later architects like Harry Colt, Alister MacKenzie and James Braid each brought distinct sensibilities to British golf. Colt's work at Sunningdale showed how heathland could provide links-style golf away from the coast. MacKenzie learned his craft on British courses before revolutionizing American design. Braid brought a player's perspective to architecture. These men weren't just designing golf courses — they were preserving something precious. Their work represents an unbroken chain connecting modern golf to its ancient origins. Advertisement Britain's Rich Tapestry Links courses get all the attention, but Britain's golf landscape offers incredible diversity. Heathland courses like Sunningdale and Woking provide firm, fast conditions while incorporating heather and gorse as natural hazards. They're the middle ground between links wildness and parkland precision. Parkland courses like The Belfry and Celtic Manor showcase lush conditions, water hazards, tree-lined fairways. Moorland courses add another dimension with elevated terrain and peaty soil that emphasize accuracy over distance. Each style emerged from specific geographical conditions, creating a rich tapestry that American golf simply cannot replicate. We can build great courses, but we can't build centuries of evolution. Advertisement View the original article to see embedded media. The Sacred Season The next month represents more than major championships — it's a pilgrimage through golf's most hallowed grounds. The Scottish Open, Open Championship, Women's Open and Senior Open celebrate the game's heritage in ways that American tournaments, no matter how prestigious, cannot match. Watching The Open Championship will be a masterclass in links golf strategy. Players will adapt their games to firm, fast conditions and unpredictable weather. The course will reward creativity and punish stubbornness, separating those who understand links golf from those who merely play it. Advertisement The Open flags fly in a light breeze at the 150th Open Championship at St. Andrews Old Course; July 11, 2022; St. Andrews, Fife, Michael Madrid-Imagn Images What We've Lost American golf has achieved remarkable things. We've built courses more beautiful and challenging than anything the early Scots imagined. We've democratized the game, making it accessible to millions. But most of our courses, no matter how well-designed, lack the organic relationship between environment and design that defines great British golf. Here in the U.S., we've created golf courses. They've preserved golf landscapes. The difference is profound. When you play Pebble Beach or Kiawah Island, you're playing spectacular golf courses that happen to be in beautiful locations. When you play St. Andrews or Royal County Down, you're playing golf as it was meant to be played, on land that seems destined for the game. Advertisement This isn't criticism of American golf architecture — it's acknowledgment that certain things cannot be manufactured. History, tradition, and the accumulated wisdom of centuries of play aren't commodities you can purchase. Living With the Translation From my base in Florida, surrounded by places like Streamsong and Cabot Citrus Farms, I'm constantly reminded of what American designers are trying to recreate. These magnificent American interpretations capture the essence of links golf but miss some of its deeper meaning. It's like reading Shakespeare in translation versus experiencing it in the original English. Advertisement The best American courses don't try to be exact replicas — they apply links principles to American landscapes. Yet the original remains irreplaceable. The courses where golf was born offer something that cannot be duplicated: authenticity. When we watch the world's best players tackle these historic courses in the next month, we're seeing something special. These courses have been testing champions for hundreds of years, and they're still doing it. The wind will blow, the ground will be firm and fast, and players will have to adapt to challenges that haven't changed in centuries. That's when we'll see golf as it was meant to be played. That's when we'll understand why links golf hits differently than anything we have in America. It's not just about the courses. It's about the history. It's about playing where the game was born, where it belongs. You can't fake that. You can't build it. You can only experience it. And that's what makes golf special. Advertisement Related: The Story with Rory: McIlroy's Post-Masters Struggles Show Human Side of Greatness Related: What's Not to Like About Robert MacIntyre? My Pick to Defend at the Scottish Open Related: Gary Player Reflects on Royal Portrush's Return to The Open Championship This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Wild's Matt Boldy, Ryan Hartman Finish Second At Golf Digest Open
Minnesota Wild forwards Matt Boldy and Ryan Hartman competed in the Golf Digest Open a few days ago. The two of them as a pair, finished second in the tournament. Finishing second now qualify them for the National Championship in September. This was not a celebrity event, but rather a legit two-man best ball tournament. Advertisement Boldy is known for his golfing skills and has competed in a Canadian Golf Pro Tour over last summer. National Championship will be played at Streamsong in September. Photo Credit: Dec 21, 2022; Anaheim, California, USA; Minnesota Wild left wing Matt Boldy (12) is greeted by right wing Ryan Hartman (38) after scoring a goal during the third period against the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images.
Independent Singapore
31-05-2025
- General
- Independent Singapore
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger Woods, follows in the footsteps of his father and wins his first American Junior Golf Association tournament
USA: Charlie Woods, a high school junior and the son of the iconic golfing star, Tiger Woods, claimed his first American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) title. The young athlete competed against 71 top junior golfers from around the world, including the AJGA's top-ranked player, and had an impressive performance at the Team TaylorMade Invitational at Streamsong Resort in Florida. He defeated golfers Willie Gordon, Luke Colton, and Phillip Dunham with a 15-under par three-shot win. More so, he won against Miles Russell, AJGA No. 1, who then placed seventh at 9-under. American Jr Golf Association shared in a social media post: 'Just the beginning for Charlie Woods!' Netizens expressed their support in the comments section and said: 'I hope this young man has a fantastic career going forward in golf or whatever he chooses', 'Congrats 🎉 Charlie. Just remember, you be you. Don't worry about those big shoes to fill. In time you will. Just be Charlie!!!!!', and 'I am very happy for you. Hard work pays off.' Highlights of the tournament Young Woods began the final round with a birdie and a bogey but then caught fire with six birdies over the next nine holes, where he pulled three shots ahead of the field. He then had a bogey on the 13th hole but made up for it by driving the green on the 14th hole and sinking a birdie putt. Woods had good results with pars on the 15th, 16th, and 17th holes, and he continued his three-shot lead going into the final hole, a long 586-yard par-5. Charlie made one last par there to finish the tournament with a strong 6-under 66, which secured his title. Now, h e is ranked No. 606 in the AJGA standings. Before this victory, his best result in an AJGA event was tying for 25th place back in March. Tiger's hopes for Charlie Tiger has been declaring his high hopes for Charlie's future in golf. The professional golfer had noticed that his son's frustrations often take over, which leads to worse scores. Drawing from his own experience, he gave his son some advice back in 2021: See also Thomas Detry claims his first PGA Tour victory at the Phoenix Open 'Son, I don't care how mad you get… Your head could blow off for all I care, just as long as you're 100 percent committed to the next shot. That's all that matters. That next shot should be the most important shot in your life. It should be more important than breathing. Once you understand that concept, then I think you'll get better.' It is expected that many top golf programs will be eager to recruit Charlie Woods because of his talents and potential, even though he is still undecided about his college career as of now.
Irish Times
29-05-2025
- General
- Irish Times
Tiger Woods son Charlie fires 66 to clinch first career AJGA title
Charlie Woods, the 16-year-old son of Tiger Woods , earned his first American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) win on Wednesday with a three-shot victory at the Team TaylorMade Invitational in Bowling Green, Florida. Woods, playing in his fifth AJGA event, began the final round one shot behind overnight leader Luke Colton and mixed two bogeys with eight birdies for a six-under-par 66 on the Black Course at Streamsong Resort that brought him to 15 under on the week. Willie Gordon (65), Phillip Dunham (68) and Colton (70) finished in a share of second place. After a birdie-bogey start, Woods grabbed the solo lead late on the outward nine with four birdies over a sizzling five-hole stretch. He then built a three-shot cushion with birdies at the 11th and 12th holes, dropped a shot at the 13th but responded immediately with a birdie at the 298-yard, par-four 14th where he drove the green. He closed out his round with four consecutive pars. READ MORE Before this week, Woods's best result on the AJGA circuit was a share of 25th place at the Junior Invitational at Sage Valley in March. Woods has competed with his father in the last five editions of the PNC Championship – a 36-hole event featuring two-player teams made up of a major champion and a family member – and last December they finished runners-up for a second time. The elder Woods has been sidelined since undergoing surgery in March to repair a ruptured Achilles tendon and is expected to miss the rest of the PGA Tour season.
Free Malaysia Today
29-05-2025
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
Tiger's son Charlie Woods captures first junior crown
Charlie Woods (left) and his father Tiger Woods tee off at the second hole during a practice round of the 2024 US Open. (EPA Images pic) FLORIDA : Charlie Woods, the 16-year-old son of 15-time major winner Tiger Woods, won his first American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) title on Wednesday, taking a three-stroke victory in Florida. The younger Woods fired a six-under par 66 final round to capture the Team TaylorMade Invitational at Streamsong Resort Black course, finishing on 15-under 201. It was the first victory in five AJGA starts for Charlie Woods, who fired eight birdies and two bogeys in the final round but closed with four consecutive pars to seal the triumph in the top US junior series. A field of 71 included four of the nation's five top-ranked juniors and 60 of the top 100. Woods was 606th in AJGA rankings but is expected to leap into the top 15 after the win. Charlie Woods would be able to have talks with college coaches next month even though he wouldn't be joining university teams before 2027 if then. Woods was playing on a sponsor invitation in the event but will be exempt for AJGA invitationals the rest of this season. Woods, who has won other age-group events, failed in an attempt to qualify for the US Open earlier this month.
