Old Tom Morris | The Father of Golf Architecture | The Great Golf Architects Ep. 1

#ExpediaPartner At Land’s End in Cabo San Lucas, Jack Nicklaus created a golf course where golden desert dunes, deep arroyos and towering granite cliffs meet the Pacific Ocean. In this Everyday Golf Wins episode, we explore Quivira Golf Club—a 7,085-yard, par-72 adventure that climbs from sea level to positions more than 275 feet above the surf. We also examine three of its most unforgettable holes: 🌊 Hole #6 — A 310-yard risk-reward par 4 where golfers must choose between laying up and challenging a cliffside green. 🏜️ Hole #7 — A 180-yard par 3 played through towering dunes toward a narrow, two-tiered green above the Pacific. 🏖️ Hole #13 — A 635-yard, Z-shaped par 5 that descends through dunes and native Baja vegetation toward the coast. Discover how Nicklaus uses elevation, wind, sand and visible danger to tempt golfers into aggressive decisions—and why Quivira feels more like an expedition than a conventional round. 📖 Read the complete Medium article: 👉 https://medium.com/@everydaygolfwins/quivira-golf-club-where-the-desert-falls-into-the-pacific-7b87538107e1?sharedUserId=everydaygolfwins 📋 Scorecard Note Quivira reordered its holes after the pictured BlueGolf scorecard was published. The featured holes shown on that older card as Nos. 5, 6 and 12 are now played as Nos. 6, 7 and 13. The BlueGolf card also incorrectly labels the 7,085 total as meters. Quivira’s official course information confirms that the championship distance is 7,085 yards. 💬 Your Turn You are standing on the tee of the 310-yard sixth with the Pacific far below. Are you laying back for position—or pulling driver and challenging the cliffside green? Follow Everyday Golf Wins for more remarkable golf destinations, legendary architects and unforgettable holes from around the world. ✈️ Plan Your Quivira Golf Escape Explore Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Golf & Spa Resort, an adults-only, all-inclusive property offering eligible guests access to Quivira Golf Club: 👉 https://expedia.com/affiliates/hotel-search-pueblo-bonito-pacifica-golf-spa-resort-all-inclusiveadult-only.txbm1Xc Earns commissions: I may earn a commission from qualifying bookings made through this Expedia link, at no additional cost to you. #EverydayGolfWins #QuiviraGolfClub #MexicoGolf #LosCabosGolf #JackNicklaus #GolfTravel #CoursesOfTheWorld

Travel to Mexico’s Riviera Maya for a journey through El Camaleón Golf Course at Mayakoba—a Greg Norman design that changes character as it moves through tropical jungle, mangroves, limestone canals and Caribbean coastline. Named after the chameleon, El Camaleón continually asks golfers to adapt. Sheltered tropical corridors give way to water, ancient limestone geology and exposed seaside wind. In this Everyday Golf Wins episode, we explore three unforgettable holes: 🏝️ Hole #4 — The Island Test A 116-yard par 3 requiring one completely committed shot to an island green surrounded by lagoon water. 😈 Hole #7 — The Devil’s Mouth A 554-yard par 5 featuring a natural cenote—a limestone sinkhole opening beside the fairway and revealing the underground world of the Yucatán Peninsula. 🌊 Hole #15 — The Caribbean Window A 155-yard seaside par 3 where the ocean horizon, coastal breeze and changing conditions influence club selection. We also examine Greg Norman’s use of Mayakoba’s contrasting ecosystems, El Camaleón’s professional tournament history and the course’s evolution into a venue that has hosted PGA Tour, LIV Golf and LPGA competition. 📖 Read the complete Medium article: 👉 https://medium.com/@everydaygolfwins/el-camale%C3%B3n-golf-through-the-many-faces-of-the-riviera-maya-e9fc76e14c3a?sharedUserId=everydaygolfwins 📋 Scorecard Note The featured-hole yardages in this episode follow the pictured BlueGolf card labeled “Mayakoba Classic”: • Hole #4 — 116 yards, par 3 • Hole #7 — 554 yards, par 5 • Hole #15 — 155 yards, par 3 The pictured configuration measures 6,981 yards and par 71, with a displayed rating of 70.0 and slope of 110. Mayakoba officially describes El Camaleón as an 18-hole, par-72 course. Tournament, event and resort configurations may use different tees, pars and yardages. “The Island Test” and “The Caribbean Window” are creative Everyday Golf Wins captions. “The Devil’s Mouth” is the established nickname associated with the natural cenote at Hole #7. 💬 Join the Conversation If you could play only one featured hole, which would you choose? The island green, the Devil’s Mouth or the Caribbean Window? Follow Everyday Golf Wins for remarkable golf courses, legendary architects, signature holes and stories from around the world. #EverydayGolfWins #ElCamaleon #Mayakoba #MexicoGolf #RivieraMaya #GregNorman #GolfArchitecture #GolfTravel ✈️ Plan Your Riviera Maya Golf Getaway Explore accommodations, flights and travel options for Mayakoba, Playa del Carmen and Mexico’s Caribbean coast through Trip.com : 👉 https://www.trip.com/t/8tZm7jVF8W2 Affiliate disclosure: I may earn a commission if you make a qualifying booking through this link, at no additional cost to you.

Travel to Jamaica’s Caribbean coast for a journey through The Tryall Club, a historic golf destination where ocean winds, mountain terrain and a centuries-old waterwheel shape the experience. Originally designed by Ralph Plummer and later renovated by Andrew Green, Tryall moves from the Flint River and Caribbean shoreline into the hills above Sandy Bay. Along the way, golfers encounter historic aqueduct pillars, the estate’s approximately 300-year-old waterwheel and elevated views stretching across the Jamaican landscape. In this Everyday Golf Wins episode, we explore the architecture, history and three memorable holes that define Tryall: 🌊 Hole #4 — Where the River Meets the Sea A 176-yard par 3 crossing the Flint River, with the Caribbean Sea along the left and powerful trade winds influencing every club selection. ⚙️ Hole #7 — The Waterwheel Passage A 440-yard uphill par 4 beginning beside Tryall’s historic waterwheel and aqueduct before climbing toward the Great House. 🌅 Hole #14 — The Floating Green A 457-yard par 4 where the elevated setting makes the green appear to float against the Caribbean horizon. “The Floating Green,” “The Waterwheel Passage” and “Where the River Meets the Sea” are creative Everyday Golf Wins captions rather than official hole names. We also examine Andrew Green’s thoughtful modernization of Ralph Plummer’s original design, Tryall’s international tournament history and the complicated plantation heritage preserved within the landscape. 📖 Read the complete Medium article: 👉 https://medium.com/@everydaygolfwins/the-tryall-club-where-jamaican-history-shapes-the-game-f544ddc0308e?sharedUserId=everydaygolfwins 💬 Join the Conversation If you could play only one of Tryall’s featured holes, which would you choose? The river crossing at Hole #4, the historic waterwheel passage at Hole #7 or the floating-green illusion at Hole #14? Follow Everyday Golf Wins for more remarkable golf courses, legendary architects, signature holes and stories from around the world. ✈️ Plan Your Jamaica Golf Getaway Explore accommodations, flights and travel options for Jamaica through Trip.com : 👉 https://www.trip.com/t/hWUKOLTS7W2 Affiliate disclosure: I may earn a commission if you make a qualifying booking through this link, at no additional cost to you.

🇯🇲 Cinnamon Hill: Golf, James Bond and Jamaican History Travel to Rose Hall near Montego Bay, Jamaica, for a journey through one of the Caribbean’s most fascinating golf courses. Cinnamon Hill begins beside the turquoise Caribbean Sea before climbing into the tropical hills of the historic Rose Hall Estate. Along the way, golfers encounter coastal wind, mountain elevation, centuries-old stonework, a cinematic waterfall and extraordinary views across Jamaica’s northern coastline. In this episode, we explore: ⛳ How Hank Smedley created the original Cinnamon Hill course in 1969 🎨 How Robert von Hagge and Rick Baril redesigned the layout in 2001 🌊 The contrast between the exposed coastal holes and mountainous back nine 🏛️ The surviving stone aqueduct connected to Rose Hall’s sugar-producing past 🎬 The waterfall featured in the 1973 James Bond film Live and Let Die 🎵 Cinnamon Hill Great House, the Jamaican home of Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash ⭐ Three Featured Holes 🌊 Hole #5 — Majestic Blue Par 4 — 453 yards Cinnamon Hill’s signature seaside hole moves toward a green framed by aquamarine Caribbean water, pale sand and swaying palms. Its beauty can distract golfers from a demanding drive and wind-influenced approach. 💦 Hole #15 — The Waterfall Challenge Par 3 — 220 yards This formidable par 3 plays toward a green beneath the waterfall seen in Live and Let Die. Length, mountain wind and one of golf’s most distracting backdrops make complete commitment essential. ⛰️ Hole #17 — The Mountaintop Panorama Par 5 — 535 yards From a tee approximately 350 feet above the Caribbean Sea, golfers look across the Rose Hall Estate and Jamaica’s northern coastline. The elevated setting encourages aggression, but thoughtful positioning remains the safest route to a scoring opportunity. 📋 Scorecard Note The featured-hole yardages in this episode follow the pictured BlueGolf scorecard: • Hole #5 — 453 yards, par 4 • Hole #15 — 220 yards, par 3 • Hole #17 — 535 yards, par 5 The blue tees measure 6,828 yards, with a par of 72, course rating of 74.2 and slope rating of 136. Shorter tee options are available. 📖 Read the Complete Medium Article 👉 https://medium.com/@everydaygolfwins/cinnamon-hill-golf-course-from-the-caribbean-shore-to-the-jamaican-mountains-86cd5139c435?sharedUserId=everydaygolfwins 🌐 Official Course Information Rose Hall Golf: https://rosehall.com/golf/ 💬 Join the Conversation Which Cinnamon Hill experience would you choose? A) Challenge the Caribbean wind on Majestic Blue B) Attempt the 220-yard waterfall hole C) Launch a drive from the mountaintop seventeenth Follow Everyday Golf Wins for more unforgettable courses, legendary architects, remarkable golf holes and stories from around the game. 🎙️ Production Note This animated audio explainer was produced with NotebookLM using an original Everyday Golf Wins course article. ✈️ Plan Your Jamaica Golf Getaway Explore accommodations and travel options near Rose Hall and Montego Bay through Trip.com : 👉 https://www.trip.com/t/OfjIeiMd6W2 Affiliate disclosure: I may earn a commission if you make a qualifying booking through this link, at no additional cost to you.

After Sand Hills changed modern golf architecture, Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw faced an even greater challenge: proving their minimalist philosophy could succeed on completely different landscapes. In Part Two of their story, we travel from the forests and dunes of Bandon Trails to the contrasting terrain of Friar's Head and finally to the spectacular ocean cliffs of Cape Breton Island. Along the way, we discover why Coore & Crenshaw's greatest talent may not be creating a recognizable architectural style—but allowing every landscape to develop a character entirely its own.

Discover how an unlikely partnership between landscape architect Bill Coore and Masters champion Ben Crenshaw transformed modern golf architecture. In this opening chapter, we follow their shared passion for minimalist design, the formation of their legendary partnership, and the creation of Sand Hills Golf Club—a course that forever changed the direction of golf course architecture.

In the concluding chapter of Gil Hanse's remarkable story, we explore the philosophy that has made him one of golf's most respected architects. From the bold creativity of Streamsong Black to the thoughtful restoration of Los Angeles Country Club, discover how Hanse has preserved the game's architectural heritage while creating new classics for future generations.

From the windswept shores of Scotland to the global spotlight of the Olympic Games, Gil Hanse demonstrated that great golf architecture combines strategic brilliance, natural beauty, and respect for history. In this episode, we explore Castle Stuart, the Olympic Golf Course in Rio, and the restoration philosophy that has made Hanse one of the world's most respected architects.

Before Gil Hanse became one of the world's most respected golf course architects, he was an avid student of golf's Golden Age. In this opening chapter, discover how his passion for classic architecture, thoughtful restoration, and respect for history shaped a career that would earn the trust of legendary clubs and lead to one of golf's greatest modern commissions—the Olympic Golf Course in Rio de Janeiro.

Tom Doak's influence extends far beyond the remarkable golf courses that bear his name. In this concluding chapter, we explore the minimalist philosophy that reshaped modern golf architecture, the enduring work of Renaissance Golf Design, and the timeless tribute found at Old Macdonald. Discover why one architect's greatest contribution may have been reminding the golf world that the landscape itself is the greatest designer of all.

From the windswept dunes of Oregon to the towering sea cliffs of New Zealand, Tom Doak proved that great golf architecture isn't about imposing a style—it's about revealing the natural beauty already present in the land. Join us as we explore Pacific Dunes, Cape Kidnappers, Barnbougle Dunes, and Streamsong Blue, the courses that cemented Doak's reputation as one of the world's most influential modern architects.

Tom Doak didn't begin his career with bulldozers or blueprints—he began by walking. In this episode, we follow his journey from a curious student of golf architecture to the publication of The Confidential Guide to Golf Courses and the founding of Renaissance Golf Design. Discover how his minimalist philosophy challenged conventional thinking and laid the foundation for some of the world's most celebrated modern golf courses.

Tom Fazio's influence extends far beyond the championship courses that bear his name. In this concluding chapter, we explore the philosophy that transformed modern golf architecture, his commitment to preserving the natural beauty of every landscape, and the enduring legacy that continues to inspire golfers and architects around the world. From mentoring future generations to creating courses that feel as timeless as the land itself, discover why Tom Fazio's greatest achievement may not be a single masterpiece—but a lifetime devoted to making golf more beautiful.

By the late twentieth century, Tom Fazio had become America's most sought-after golf architect—not because he repeated successful formulas, but because every course reflected the unique character of the land beneath it. In this episode, we journey through some of his most celebrated creations, from the astonishing transformation of Shadow Creek in the Nevada desert to the mountain serenity of Wade Hampton, the strategic brilliance of Victoria National, and the respectful innovation of Pinehurst No. 8. Together, these masterpieces reveal why Tom Fazio's greatest talent wasn't simply designing golf courses—it was creating unforgettable experiences.

Long before Tom Fazio became one of the world's most celebrated golf course architects, he was a young designer learning to see the land through an artist's eyes. In Part One of this three-part series, we explore Fazio's upbringing in one of golf's most respected architectural families, the influence of his uncle George Fazio, and the philosophy that would eventually distinguish him from every other designer of his generation. Discover how patience, observation, and respect for the natural landscape became the cornerstones of a career that transformed modern golf architecture. In This Episode ⛳ Growing up in the Fazio family ⛳ Lessons learned from George Fazio ⛳ Developing an independent design philosophy ⛳ Why beauty and strategy became inseparable ⛳ The beginnings of one of golf's most influential careers 📚 Series: The Great Golf Architects Presented by Everyday Golf Wins Where Every Fairway Has a History.

Pete Dye's most enduring contribution to golf wasn't a single championship course—it was a philosophy that forever changed the way golfers and architects think about the game. In the concluding chapter of The Great Golf Architects, we explore Pete Dye's lasting legacy, his extraordinary partnership with Alice Dye, his influence on future generations of golf architects, and the ideas that continue to shape courses around the world. From his induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame to the countless strategic design principles now considered standard practice, discover why Pete Dye's greatest masterpiece may have been the way he transformed golf itself. Whether you've played one Pete Dye course or simply admire great golf architecture, this final chapter celebrates a visionary whose influence will endure for generations. In This Episode ⛳ Pete and Alice Dye's extraordinary partnership ⛳ The architects inspired by Pete's work ⛳ His World Golf Hall of Fame induction ⛳ The enduring principles of strategic golf design ⛳ Why Pete Dye's philosophy continues to shape modern golf 📚 Series: The Great Golf Architects Presented by Everyday Golf Wins Where Every Fairway Has a History.

Pete Dye had already proven he could build unforgettable golf courses. Now he would change championship golf forever. In Part Two of The Great Golf Architects, we explore how Pete Dye partnered with PGA Tour Commissioner Deane Beman to create TPC Sawgrass, revolutionize tournament golf through the Stadium Course concept, and design the legendary island green at the 17th hole—one of the most recognizable and psychologically demanding holes in the history of the game. Discover how Dye's bold vision transformed golf architecture, influenced generations of designers, and forever changed the way professional golf is played, watched, and remembered. Whether you're a golfer, architecture enthusiast, or lover of golf history, this episode offers an in-depth look at one of the game's greatest innovators.

What happens when one architect decides golf should challenge the mind as much as the swing? In Part One of our Pete Dye trilogy, we explore his early life, his remarkable partnership with Alice Dye, the inspiration he found on the ancient links of Great Britain, and the opening of Harbour Town Golf Links—the course that introduced a bold new vision for championship golf.

In the concluding chapter of our Robert Trent Jones Sr. trilogy, we explore the legacy of the architect who transformed championship golf around the world. Discover how his philosophy shaped generations of designers, influenced televised golf, inspired his sons Robert Trent Jones Jr. and Rees Jones, and continues to challenge golfers on some of the world's greatest courses.

Robert Trent Jones Sr. didn't simply build golf courses—he built championship stages. Join us as we travel from Hazeltine to Spyglass Hill, Firestone to Congressional, exploring the remarkable designs that transformed professional golf and carried one architect's vision around the world.