What if you were given the opportunity to hang out with a legend of the game? And not just any legend — a golfer who has made his name both in front of the major-championship cameras and behind the scenes building some of America’s favorite courses?
Well, it turns out, when Golf Trip Experts Associate Editor Eric Hart and Photography Editor Brian Oar got the chance to sit down with Ben Crenshaw, there was plenty to discuss — including some breaking news as Oregon’s Bandon Dunes Resort had just announced a timeline for opening (in 2020) the new Bally Bandon Sheep Ranch from the minds of Phil Friedmann, Mike Keiser, Crenshaw and his design partner Bill Coore.
In Episode 139 of the “Talking GolfGetaways” podcast, Eric joins hosts Mitch Laurance and Darin Bunch for a wide-ranging conversation about all things Ben Crenshaw — from his thoughts on Tiger Woods’ historic victory at The Masters in April (to which Ben could relate — in some ways, at least — after winning a second Green Jacket 11 years after taking home his first) to how he felt about the land for the original course at Wisconsin’s new Sand Valley Golf Resort and freedom of design on the 17-hole Sandbox short course. And then there are changes under way at Kapalua Plantation on Maui, where the pros play the Tournament of Champions to kick off each season of the PGA Tour.
LISTEN to “Talking GolfGetaways” on audioBoom! | iTunes | Stitcher | PlayerFM
Along the way, Hart also relays a great story about Ben hitting hickories at Scotland’s historic Muirfield (until getting kicked off the course), talks about how much Crenshaw relied on and credits his caddie for major-championship successes, and how having billionaire businessman Tadashi Yanai at the helm of Kapalua allows the PGA Tour to elevate the Kapalua experience even more — both for professional golfers and visitors who play it the rest of the year.
It’s a fun conversation with Eric Hart, one of our great friends and possibly the hardest-working writer we know. And we promise you’ll come away from Episode 139 liking both Eric and Ben Crenshaw even more. Enjoy the connection.
