The Buck Club

Is this concept coming along in any way or has Zac Blair put it on the back burner?

I think it would be beyond exciting to see a tour pro’s rendition of 18 Macdonald/Raynor template holes.

What does everyone know?

Only what he's discussed on the Fried Egg Podcasts. I haven't heard anything new in a while.

Talks about it. Sells a bunch of stuff with the logo stamped on it. Asks to hear from people interested in memberships, but never get backs to anybody.

Lots of puffery at this point.

I've got a TBC cap.

He's a keen kid and it's be great to see him get a win, to get that tour security and winner's cheque and hopefully that would provide some room to really push on on the development side.

I think having the swag out there is a good way to keep the name and idea floating about.

Not sure if he comes from a wealthy family or what his background is, but I don't think he can have the funding at all required to build the club he wants. I love hearing him talk about golf/courses etc, but I don't see how this can be a reality anytime soon unless he gets some big financial backing.

Not sure if he comes from a wealthy family or what his background is, but I don't think he can have the funding at all required to build the club he wants. I love hearing him talk about golf/courses etc, but I don't see how this can be a reality anytime soon unless he gets some big financial backing.

I believe his family is in the golf business, his dad maybe owns a few courses? If that’s the case, they, well..... they probably aren’t super wealthy, at least in terms of cash on hand. Their assets might be significant if they own the land but liquidity is not a common trait in that situation.

Not sure if he comes from a wealthy family or what his background is, but I don't think he can have the funding at all required to build the club he wants. I love hearing him talk about golf/courses etc, but I don't see how this can be a reality anytime soon unless he gets some big financial backing.

There's an easy to find thread on Golf Club Atlas where he talks about it. It is close to becoming a reality. I'd link it here but I think they kill GCA links. Easy search: Buck Club Golf Club Atlas. Go to the first page.

ETA: Oh and I'd say there's a good chance that I may attempt to join it if it comes to fruition as it is everything I like about golf.

Not sure if he comes from a wealthy family or what his background is, but I don't think he can have the funding at all required to build the club he wants. I love hearing him talk about golf/courses etc, but I don't see how this can be a reality anytime soon unless he gets some big financial backing.

There's an easy to find thread on Golf Club Atlas where he talks about it. It is close to becoming a reality. I'd link it here but I think they kill GCA links. Easy search: Buck Club Golf Club Atlas. Go to the first page.

 

ETA: Oh and I'd say there's a good chance that I may attempt to join it if it comes to fruition as it is everything I like about golf.

That is awesome, and I agree. It could be an awesome place.

I’ve reached out and talked to him about it

He responded with some info to me

This was 9 months back, I think.

On Twitter he is trying to put together a fundraiser at Sweetens Cove.

I know he has hired King Collins to design the course.

I know he has hired King Collins to design the course.

I can understand the reason behind it, but I would have loved to see him go with someone outside that scene, as it's such an obvious choice.

Personally Axland & Proctor (Bunker Hill Golf) would be an awesome choice IMO. Nice cross generational effort.

People bang on about the 'm' word, but these guys were doing that before today's courses branded as such were a twinkle in a developer's eye.

I know he has hired King Collins to design the course.

 

I can understand the reason behind it, but I would have loved to see him go with someone outside that scene, as it's such an obvious choice.

Personally Axland & Proctor (Bunker Hill Golf) would be an awesome choice IMO. Nice cross generational effort.

People bang on about the 'm' word, but these guys were doing that before today's courses branded as such were a twinkle in a developer's eye.

I mean, let's take a breath with King Collins. They've designed and built one course - a nine holer - that, it just so happens, they also owned (hence giving them total editorial control over the design). I'm not knocking them at all, but to anoint them as an "obvious" choice is absurd. For a real project, choosing them is still taking a huge gamble.

But for a fake project like The Buck Club, it's an easy choice...

I know he has hired King Collins to design the course.

 

I can understand the reason behind it, but I would have loved to see him go with someone outside that scene, as it's such an obvious choice.

Personally Axland & Proctor (Bunker Hill Golf) would be an awesome choice IMO. Nice cross generational effort.

People bang on about the 'm' word, but these guys were doing that before today's courses branded as such were a twinkle in a developer's eye.

 

I mean, let's take a breath with King Collins. They've designed and built one course - a nine holer - that, it just so happens, they also owned (hence giving them total editorial control over the design). I'm not knocking them at all, but to anoint them as an "obvious" choice is absurd. For a real project, choosing them is still taking a huge gamble.

 

But for a fake project like The Buck Club, it's an easy choice...

You misread what I meant by the word 'obvious'. I thought my lead in to that phrase and the next two sentences would have made that obvious.

I initially used a different word, but didn't want to be overly negative. Thought you'd be able to make sense of it, but guess not.

I know he has hired King Collins to design the course.

 

I can understand the reason behind it, but I would have loved to see him go with someone outside that scene, as it's such an obvious choice.

Personally Axland & Proctor (Bunker Hill Golf) would be an awesome choice IMO. Nice cross generational effort.

People bang on about the 'm' word, but these guys were doing that before today's courses branded as such were a twinkle in a developer's eye.

 

I mean, let's take a breath with King Collins. They've designed and built one course - a nine holer - that, it just so happens, they also owned (hence giving them total editorial control over the design). I'm not knocking them at all, but to anoint them as an "obvious" choice is absurd. For a real project, choosing them is still taking a huge gamble.

 

But for a fake project like The Buck Club, it's an easy choice...

You misread what I meant by the word 'obvious'. I thought my lead in to that phrase and the next two sentences would have made that obvious.

I initially used a different word, but didn't want to be overly negative. Thought you'd be able to make sense of it, but guess not.

Yeah, I still don't get what you meant.

I also don't get why Zac Blair, PGA Player and proclaimed Golf Architecture Aficionado, would put anybody's name but his own on the effort...

I know he has hired King Collins to design the course.

 

I can understand the reason behind it, but I would have loved to see him go with someone outside that scene, as it's such an obvious choice.

Personally Axland & Proctor (Bunker Hill Golf) would be an awesome choice IMO. Nice cross generational effort.

People bang on about the 'm' word, but these guys were doing that before today's courses branded as such were a twinkle in a developer's eye.

 

I mean, let's take a breath with King Collins. They've designed and built one course - a nine holer - that, it just so happens, they also owned (hence giving them total editorial control over the design). I'm not knocking them at all, but to anoint them as an "obvious" choice is absurd. For a real project, choosing them is still taking a huge gamble.

 

But for a fake project like The Buck Club, it's an easy choice...

You misread what I meant by the word 'obvious'. I thought my lead in to that phrase and the next two sentences would have made that obvious.

I initially used a different word, but didn't want to be overly negative. Thought you'd be able to make sense of it, but guess not.

 

Yeah, I still don't get what you meant.

 

I also don't get why Zac Blair, PGA Player and proclaimed Golf Architecture Aficionado, would put anybody's name but his own on the effort...

You're sharp, I thought you got nuance, but maybe the jump to indignation got in the way, of course I could have been clearer.

I didn't use obvious as a positive adjective. I previously had '...an obvious choice, as to be a cliche.'

I agree with your King Collins POV, which is why I suggested Bunker Hill. Those guys have created a handful of class, proper 18 hole courses (Delaware Springs & Wild Horse totally fit in with what Zac is looking to do, on similar terrain) on small budgets and have worked on loads of C&C courses. They'd be a perfect fit, apart from their lack of social media presence and not making any NYT articles. Heck they may even be retired/semi-retired, so might not cost a lot.

which is why I suggested Bunker Hill. Those guys have created a handful of class, proper 18 hole courses (Delaware Springs & Wild Horse totally fit in with what Zac is looking to do, on similar terrain) on small budgets and have worked on loads of C&C courses. They'd be a perfect fit, apart from their lack of social media presence and not making any NYT articles. Heck they may even be retired/semi-retired, so might not cost a lot.

How can you design a dreamy fake course on Twitter if you don't have any social media accounts?

If he needs a superintendent....

which is why I suggested Bunker Hill. Those guys have created a handful of class, proper 18 hole courses (Delaware Springs & Wild Horse totally fit in with what Zac is looking to do, on similar terrain) on small budgets and have worked on loads of C&C courses. They'd be a perfect fit, apart from their lack of social media presence and not making any NYT articles. Heck they may even be retired/semi-retired, so might not cost a lot.

 

How can you design a dreamy fake course on Twitter if you don't have any social media accounts?

Now now :)

While I share your KingCollins skepticism, I think this is a really cool endeavour, that is still in the dreamy stage, but I don't think its fake.

I can see how the touting of it might rub some the wrong way, but I think it's got a chance to come off and I hope it succeeds.

The Utah Golf Association recognizes it enough to where they actually have a TBC 8-Man Club Team. One of our Cart/Range kids that plays for BYU plays for them.

Their team is absolutely loaded. All ringers.

I know he has hired King Collins to design the course.

 

I can understand the reason behind it, but I would have loved to see him go with someone outside that scene, as it's such an obvious choice.

Personally Axland & Proctor (Bunker Hill Golf) would be an awesome choice IMO. Nice cross generational effort.

People bang on about the 'm' word, but these guys were doing that before today's courses branded as such were a twinkle in a developer's eye.

 

I mean, let's take a breath with King Collins. They've designed and built one course - a nine holer - that, it just so happens, they also owned (hence giving them total editorial control over the design). I'm not knocking them at all, but to anoint them as an "obvious" choice is absurd. For a real project, choosing them is still taking a huge gamble.

 

But for a fake project like The Buck Club, it's an easy choice...

That's not an accurate representation of the situation at Sweetens Cove. KC was hired by someone to build the course who then leased it back to a group lead by Rob Collins (partner in KC) when it was finished. Long story the details which are unimportant. They did not own it while it was being built and did not have total editorial control over the design. (Fun fact, Dan Proctor actually helped shape and build bunkers at Sweetens Cove.....)

Also to be fair they have built one 9 hole course only but it's widely considered the best public access course in its state and is #50 in golf weeks top 100 modern courses (1 of only 2 9 holers on that list) which is pretty good for a first effort. Plus both Rob Collins and Tad King have built numerous courses when they worked for other designers before starting their own firm.

This is the initial routing according to ZB. Apparently Zac, King Collins Design, and Andy Johnson from the fried egg were involved in the design. A lot going on here!

Peep the hole 7, 8, 14 vicinity...

I hope he succeeds ... but based on the layout above, he needs a pretty small membership or greatly limit the number of people who can play at one time.

Or a good lawyer for the potential injuries.

730 yard parking 5??????

730 yard parking 5??????

Not sure of exact location, but assuming altitude it will play quite a bit less. Still a 3 shotter for even longer hitters but it is not comparable to 750 at sea level...Unless you hit some worm burners.

730 will probably play like 650 ... if fast and firm, some pros can reach it in 2!

It probably plays more like a par 4.785

If you go on Zac Blair's & The Buck Club twitter accounts there are some photos recently posted that show some of the holes as they are now. Also a picture of Rob Collins playing some dirt golf out there.

I also remember reading that the site for TBC is part of an existing golf course property and you can see a bit of that course in these images.

https://twitter.com/z_blair/media

https://twitter.com/TheBuckClub/media

If you go on Zac Blair's & The Buck Club twitter accounts there are some photos recently posted that show some of the holes as they are now. Also a picture of Rob Collins playing some dirt golf out there.

 

I also remember reading that the site for TBC is part of an existing golf course property and you can see a bit of that course in these images.

 

https://twitter.com/z_blair/media

 

https://twitter.com/TheBuckClub/media

What was the previous course?