New Courses Opening in 2006

There is alot to look forward to in 2006. Three great architects are opening new courses (if all goes as planned) with others to follow shortly thereafter. Here are some to watch as they make a meteoric rise to stardom.

Boston's Brian Silva has been busy. After the successful reno work at Country Club of San Antonio scored high marks with critics and members, Silva has three high profile renos which will all compete for Best Renovation next year. Since Seth Raynor and C.B. Macdonald's work is so close to his heart, Silva is thrilled to be spit-shining Raynor's wonderful Country Club of Charleston. A few hours south in Sarasota, Silva is once again taking his palette to a Ross course, this time Sara Bay in Sarasota, Florida. Next, He will proudly display his perpendicular hazards, wonderful modernized Mackenzie-esque bunkering to Annandale in Pasadena, CA. All four are private. Finally, once again treading the same soil as one of hie idols, Silva will restore C.B. Macdonald's C.C. of St. Louis to its former glory.

Silva also has two public facilities due to open soon, Old Marsh in Wells, Maine (just south of Kennebunkport) and (with apologies to Tom Doak) Renaissance G.C in Haverhill, Mass near his beloved Boston.

Speaking of Tom Doak, his next three projects promise to be fascinating examples of minimalist design and Mackenzie-like strategy. After his world class links work in Oregon and New Zealand, it is only fitting Doak was selected to build next to one of the game's most blessed plots - next door to Muirfield. He also has private projects going in Montana and north of Cabo Del Sol.

Finally, after setting the world on fire for the last six years out west, Jim Engh is alternating time between his beloved Carne in the "bloody forelands" of northwest Ireland (because of the way the sunset reflects off the sea and land) and Reynolds Plantation Resort in Georgia.