With a background in golf that dates back to his childhood, up through his relationship as a design associate with Canadian master Rod Whitman and working with the iconic Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, and a booming career as one of the game’s rising architectural stars, Keith Cutten is a perfect subject for this “Talking GolfGetaways” Emergency 9 (presented by 2UNDR apparel).
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Give a listen to find out why golf history plays a big role in Keith’s “Favorite Destination Anywhere In The World,” which features the classic Heathland courses near London and Surrey, England, and a treasure trove of the game’s legendary layouts (and architects) such as Sunningdale, Walton Heath and Alwoodley. And you’ll understand why, having traveled and worked extensively in Canada and eastern portions of the United States, Keith’s “Bucket List” includes a trip out West to visit Oregon’s Bandon Dunes and California’s iconic Cypress Point.
Keith next explains why his “Favorite Place(s) to Stay” include the all-Canadian grouping of The Algonquin Resort in New Brunswick (where Keith is intimately involved in the golf course renovation), Keltic Lodge on Cape Breton Island (next door to Stanley Thompson’s historic Highlands Links), and the Jasper Park Lodge and Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, both in Alberta, Canada.
Keith counts the history, communities and people of any destination as the “Most Important Things Other Than Golf” on his golf getaways, using Scotland as an example of why we should all leave some time to explore when we travel. And he further connects the history of golf as a walking game when he cites his MacKenzie Walker golf bag as his “Most Important Piece of Equipment.”
A single-digit handicap who’s willing to play from any set of tees in order to enjoy the game, Keith counts Ben Crenshaw’s opening round on Cabot Cliffs (on which Keith worked) as the “Most Interesting Person He’s Ever Played With” (or in this case, just watched), marveling at Crenshaw’s ability to work the ball and play the wind, while telling some incredible stories along the way.
Keith stays with the Coore-Crenshaw theme (understandable since he’s spent so much time working with them) as he picks the award-winning Sand Hills Golf Club in Nebraska as his “One Course He Wishes Everyone Knew About” (or perhaps the one course he wishes everyone could play), detailing his appreciation of the style, strategy and cost of building this private heartland gem.
Finally, a worthy bonus answer from Keith on the question of “Coolest Thing You've Seen or Done Playing Golf,” as he describes a solo walk around the Stanley Thompson-designed Jasper Park, surveying the majesty of the Canadian Rockies, encountering wildlife of all shapes and sizes, including a “massive, huge Brown Bear” just off the 18th tee.
This is a far-flung, interesting and fun Emergency 9, with an incredibly knowledgable and articulate member of the architectural community — and a true lover of the game. We hope you enjoy the connection.
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“Talking GolfGetaways with Mitch Laurance & Darin Bunch” is sponsored by 2UNDR.com (#AssetManagement) and can be found on GolfNewsNet.com and across the Golf News Net platform. New episodes post semi-regularly (for the most part, except when we’re traveling or golfing or generally having other kinds of fun). “Talking GolfGetaways” is also available on audioBoom, iTunes and Stitcher.
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