Really appreciated the discussion of the less than savory individual from Arizona. I’ve run into my fair share of very similar people on the course and had resigned myself to thinking those were people we just have to put up with sometimes. While that may be the case every now and then, that chapter of the book has helped me to readjust who I’m willing to spend 4 hours of my day with.
Great book, Tom. Loved every page of it. I’m jealous of all the amazing courses you were able to play, but even more jealous of all the incredible people you met along the way.
Lucky to be playing Cypress today. Glad I got your chapter read before heading out. Was very nervous to not cross any boundaries. Now am just extrememly excited. Slept for 30 min last night.
I’ve read Scotland, Ireland, Paper Tiger, ACCA, and just finished A Gentleman’s Game. All great books and I’ve been sending copies of ACCA to friends to get them hooked.
I guess I’ll just have to sit here and wait patiently for Tom’s next book. Ha. Thanks for all of the great writing Tom.
Saw Tom Coyne mentioned in another thread, but I’m jumping in here to talk about ACCA.
Just like Ireland and Scotland, I loved a course called America. My only gripe is his choice for the great American golf course.
Spoiler Alert
I have nothing against Brough Creek National, i keep my handicap there. Tom frequently laments how exclusive golf is in the states. Rightly so, but then he picks possibly the most exclusive course in America as the great American golf course. It’s in someone’s back yard and since I don’t know the owner or @sundaybag personally, how does a member of the public actually get to play it?
Mind expanding on that? Pretty sure @sundaybag has said on multiple occasions anyone is welcome, just hit him up (excluding any armyworms, they can die a thousand deaths). Before the book, people might not have heard about it but that doesn’t make it exclusive.
I think I heard about it right around the time the book came out. I’m a big fan of what they’ve done. I’ve read articles, visited their website, but I can’t figure out how one actually gets to play it.
Again, no offense to anyone, but you can’t just turn up with a credit card and play. Unless, of course, something has changed since this article was written. I’m not trying to fart on BCN, it’s just an odd choice considering the book’s focus on accessibility.
Before you break out your jump to conclusions mat, I’d ask @sundaybag exactly how many times they’ve actually turned people away from playing.
While it may not be “open” every day like a traditional muni course with someone staffing it, I get the sense that with just a little notice, Ben, Zach, and the crew will do their best to be available if someone wants to play. I’d absolutely encourage you to hit them up if you’re planning a trip. I know I will.
Feels like a weird gripe to make about the book and BCN - I think you might have missed Tom’s overall point in selecting BCN and why it’s unique and worth calling out.
Rather than blithely muse-complaining and “just asking questions” on here, have you tried . . . you know . . . asking them to come out there and play? Because that’s literally all you do. And both the “membership” and the “greens fees” are free and unrestricted to any particular person.
Are you expecting them to have an online booking system for a backyard golf course?
Just want to jump in here. No hate at all to Brough Creek and the guys who built it, first and foremost. I drove across the country back in summer 2020 and specifically went through KC to try and play BCN. I posted in the thread in advance and was basically told it couldn’t happen for reasons. I was pretty bummed, as like others I kept my handicap at BCN, followed the project from basically the minute I joined the Refuge, and it felt like I got the brush off pretty hard. I ended up driving to Nebraska and playing Wild Horse instead, which would be very close to the top of my list for a potential Great American Golf Course.
All that to say, I don’t think it’s an unreasonable critique. I’m still a fan of BCN and the folks involved, but as you might imagine I also found Coyne’s selection of BCN a bit underwhelming in the context of my personal experience trying to play there.
