Mike DeVries has landed what may be a career-defining commission. The Traverse City, Michigan-based architect has been chosen to design King Island Links, an 18-hole track on the northern coast of King Island in Tasmania. The property has all the elements needed to create a true world-class destination layout, one that could someday be compared to the celebrated courses at Barnbougle Dunes on Tasmania’s main island. “He is one of the up-and-coming architects in the world, which is one of the reasons why we selected him,” one of the course’s developers told the Examiner. So now, for DeVries, the challenge awaits. Can he deliver the way Tom Doak and Coore & Crenshaw did at Barnbougle Dunes?
• In keeping with one of this blog’s core philosophies – “Never believe anything until it has been officially denied” – I can say with some confidence that the Open Championship will return to Northern Ireland for the first time since the 1950s. The year: 2018. The venue: Royal Portrush Golf Club. The news was first reported by the Irish Sun but immediately denied by both the Royal & Ancient and the club, so you know it’s true.
• After a one-year hiatus, Tiger Woods has returned to the top spot on Forbes’ annual ranking of the world’s highest-paid athletes. The magazine figures that over the past year Woods collected $13.1 million in winnings plus $65 million in endorsements, appearance money, and course design fees. The total: $78.1 million. Only four other professional golfers were named to Forbes’ top 100: Phil Mickelson at #7 ($48.7 in total earnings), Rory McIlroy at #21 ($29.6 million), Ernie Els at #78 ($19.5 million) and Brandt Snedeker at #81 ($19 million).
• Jack Nicklaus never wore sunglasses when he played competitive golf, but he swears that his new line of shades – especially the more expensive “signature” models – can improve your game. I hear they’re especially effective when combined with a lifetime’s worth of lessons.
