Where can someone go to learn about developing golf?

I was describing to Will at the recent ULI conference that for the past couple years the developers of resorts have been asking how to develop golf for less. The number that gets bantered around is $14MM for a resort course. So what was the response from the golf architect community? -- design 3-6 hole golf courses!!  

"No wonder no one is coming here any more.  If all you've ever done is build 14+ million dollar courses and we've proven that model doesn't work, why in the world would we listen to anything that the experts have to say? We should be doing the opposite of what you've done. Your solution is to build 3 hole courses?"  -- Will

Last year someone asked me "Why do I need a golf course?"  He was told that he needed golf to have a successful resort - but he didn't think it was good value.  Where can someone go to learn about developing golf if not here?

Golf is too expensive

Golf is too hard

Golf is only there to sell real estate

Pictured above is the 16th green at Wolf Point.  Our answer.  We'll be talking more about the questions next week.

Talented individuals

Recently someone asked what can be done in this market to help golf.

I've been very fortunate to have relationships with two outstanding individuals.
Don Mahaffey a world class superintendent and outstanding project manager and Will Ellender an excellent PGA Professional, teacher, salesman - both have a very keen and sophisticated eye when it comes to golf architecture.  I was also fortunate to bring the two together at the recent Golf Industry Show for several beers together.

My answer to the initial question above is a paraphrasing of their views:
How does one improve the experience in this market while cutting costs?

Work with a great superintendent.
Great = can work practically and create great (fun) playing conditions.
Have him focus on the playability not the turf.

Make sure your pros love the game.
Get them away from selling shirts and managing F&B.
Let them share their love for the game with the players who visit.

Thank you fellas for your inspiration.

Don is hard to get in a picture - so above is Will and I with Emmy from California.

Warm Up hole

What a great way to start a round at Wolf Point.  Walkers get to use the par three 8th as a warm up hole - driver (240) to mid-iron (160) - there are a lot of tees.

If you'd like a larger digital version of this illustration please ask.

Can you see our 4-legged companion?

A busy afternoon

It was me, Mike and Will and two extra visitors. In other words a busy day for the course.

The crop duster was actually playing a few holes along with us flying from tee to green - I think he loved the extra wide 4th fairway too.

Here come the players

Recently I had two visitors to the course. Will pictured above on the back 9th tee thought the course was perfect for our client and one of the better modern courses he's seen - more comments to follow. Incidentally he is hitting towards the 5th green - at the end of the day we hit a few different shots around the course.