HIS HOBBY IS FISHING AND HUNTING. HE LIKES TO HARPOON CROCODILES AND DECORATE HIS OFFICE WITH THEIR SHARP-TOOTHED STUFFED BODIES. LOOKS LIKE HIS GLORIOUS MARINES BACKGROUND HAS ITS EFFECT. INCIDENTALLY, THE LEGEND SAYS THAT CROCODILE IS AN ATTRIBUTE OF THEODORE, WARRIOR SAINT, A ROMAN SOLDIER FROM THE CITY OF PONTUS IN ASIA MINOR. HOWEVER, SINCE COLLEGE TIMES GOLF HAS BEEN ED’S MAIN PASSION.
Ed Seay has long ago added a glorious page to the history of golf course design. Though the architect, who has many a hundred courses under his belt all across the world, is not in the least burdened by fame. To be more precise, he tries not to notice it, saying that he’s not sure he’s really as famous as people think.
Ed became interested in golf at college, where the architectto be studied the intricacies of landscape design, but the simple attraction turned into his life occupation accidentally, and the one who helped was his college dean. One of the projects that the students sweated over included, among other things, the construction of a golf course, and the above-mentioned college dean turned out a very meticulous guy. He demanded that the beginner architects work out each speciality of the design project in every detail, making them study heaps of books on the subject.
The graduation coincided with the beginning of army days, but golf architecture has taken its roots in the soldier’s heart. That’s why, having finished his service, Ed joined the team of the famous course architect Ellis Maples - that very Maples who in 1961 created the 5th course at the Pinehurst Luxury Golf Resort, which symbolized the unity of golf and Mother Nature. Ed had worked under Maples’s guidance for several years, until in 1971 he decided to start on his own.
The work was begun in Georgia, at the now legendary Sawgrass course where Seay and the great golfer and course designer Arnold Palmer worked on Sawgrass Golf Course and Ponte Vedra Golf Country Club Course.
The former will go down in golf history and the history of American golf in particular, as one of the best courses in the state. Sawgrass Golf Course was so highly marked by the experts because of its gorgeous 27 holes that lie on the fringe of scenic lakes, stately pines and branchy palm trees. The extravagance of the three 9-hole arenas is not only feast upon the eyes of amateur and professional golfers; it also requires masterly shots at each hole. Do not forget that the path to victory mostly lies across the water and not through the ground: water interferes 24 times between the tee and the green, and the wind is ruthlessly tormenting.
As for the Ponte Vedra Golf Country Club Course, its fairways have even more water, even if it seems impossible. Which means that the golfer of any level should possess sharpshooter’s skill to calculate the trajectory of the ball most precisely from the first very shot; he or she should also handle their irons impeccably – they suit best for this crazy course. One of the course’s specialties is the "devil’s" par-4 13th hole. To overcome the treacherous 345 metres, the players of all kinds have to go through fire, water and a two-level fairway under the canopy of giant trees. The task is even more difficult if the golfer manages to save a shot.
Actually, Ed Seay and Arnold Palmer have worked together for over three decades. First it was a close professional connection which grew into men’s true friendship as the years passed. Friends and co-workers have walked many miles, having created over 300 golf design masterpieces under the brand of Palmer Course Design Company, recently renamed Arnold Palmer Design Company.
According to the company’s Vice President Ed Seay, one of their most outstanding projects is a course in Hawaii, which is also the priciest. Go see for yourself: around one million dollars was spent to construct each single hole. The designer friends took to the Crown of the South Seas (Hawaii’s nickname) and created several luxury courses there, that have been played by most outstanding celebrities of today’s golf: Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh, Ernie Els, Justin Leonard, Davis Love III and many other renowned golfers.
Take the 18-hole Palmer’s course named accordingly The Arnold Palmer Course: here both seasoned professionals and newcomers will find a hole to taste. If you reach the black tees, the course becomes challenging even for the best world golfers. Meanwhile, due to 5 or 6 versions of hole positioning at the green, those who are only beginning to master the nuts and bolts of the game will also be satisfied with the result. The versatile landscape of the Arnold Palmer Course is important as well.
The front nine with its sand bunkers spreading for many metres, deepwater lakes and open fairways is highly reminiscent of an original Scottish links open to all winds, while the back nine represent a typical parkland laid out among giant tree-ferns, spreading climber ropes and impassable hau bushes. But perhaps the most memorable and dramatic in this scenic forest depths is the 17th hole: it is guarded by the nine rocky and very treacherous bunkers oddly spread across the fairway, while the green sits on a small plateau located only 30 metres away from the ocean. Either take risks and be rewarded, or seek for your ball in the ocean depths. They say that good things in life are never free, and truly so: a single attempt to catch the bluebird at the Arnold Palmer Course will relieve you of $175; the fee for the guests of Turtle Bay Resort is $30 cheaper though.
For those who wish to look into the future, if only for one day, we recommend visiting the Hapuna Golf Course on the Big Island. Ten years ago the representatives of the U.S. Golf Association called this course The Course of the Future. And rightly so: 18 champion holes opened in 1992 repeat the natural landscape shape with maximum precision and are located on Kohala coast of the Pacific Ocean. Nearly every corner of the course has an incredible
view, with a snow-capped Mauna Kea peak at the centre.
Trademark style of Palmer and Seay is witnessed at the 3rd (par-5) hole in the best way possible: the intricately curved fairway is crowned by the green protected by water on the left and by a chain of bunkers on the right, so that every shot in the direction of the coveted island is full of drive and risk. Those lost in contemplation of Maui at the par-4 6th hole, which is considered the most challenging, by the way (handicap 1), have every chance to lose the ball on the "escaping" fairway. But if you calculate the strength and trajectory of the shot right, you’ll save a point as a reward. The same is true for the 11th hole, where there’s a breathtaking view from elevated tees on the one side, and a fairway partly made as a speedy downhill track on the other. That’s why the key shot here is the second one, with which the player should place the ball into the center
of a right-curved "corridor" with maximum precision. From there it’s a stone’s throw to the green, surrounded by a thick circle of sand traps.
Another unforgettable hole is the 14th: not only does its fairway swirl 90 degrees, it also winds its way across the gorge. Here those who are sure of the shot’s precision and range can try to overcome a challenging distance fast and to attack the green positioned at the hilltop in undertime. The finish line is laid out along the Pacific coast, with a fabulous panorama of the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel.
The designers’ flight of fancy wasn’t restricted to the Big Island only. In the same 1992, on Oahu’s Ewa Plain, Arnie and Ed introduced to the world 27 excellent holes of the Hawaii Prince Golf Club in all their untouched glory. The three interchangeable nines (A, B, C) are a challenge for anyone: the hardest combination is A-C, but those who wish to warm up before the battle should follow the alphabetical order and choose A-B. In any case, the 270 acres (110 hectares) of the course hold dozens of sandtraps avidly awaiting each unsuccessful stroke, and water which dominates the Hawaii Prince Golf Club both literally and metaphorically: there are six lakes at the A-nine, three at the B-nine and seven at the C-nine. In short, one shouldn’t expect an easy ride – especially when the designer, as always, tried to include into the project different versions of tees and greens for every hole.
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call the C course the most demanding. Take the 2nd (par-4) hole, for instance, whose fairway skirts the lake on the left and is thickly covered with strategically positioned bunkers on the right. The 8th hole of the A-nine, however, will require much skill and effort as well: it is literally scattered with traps. The same can be said of the last hole at the B course, generally acknowledged as the most difficult target of all the three courses. The winds that have no pity for the golfer’s sufferings strive to drown the ball in one of the two lakes surrounding the fairway every time. So if you’re looking for fresh impressions and big love… to golf, welcome to Hawaii. Aloha!
Together Ed Seay and the great Arnold Palmer have created many a course with truly fabulous natural elements and unique properties that sometimes can’t be seen with the naked eye. In Ed’s mind, golf course architecture is not just an occupation, it’s a philosophy. A fine course should be a joy! However, the far-reaching designs of the architect
Together Ed Seay and the great Arnold Palmer have created many a course with truly fabulous natural elements and unique properties that sometimes can’t be seen with the naked eye. In Ed’s mind, golf course architecture is not just an occupation, it’s a philosophy. A fine course should be a joy!
Today courses by Arnold Palmer Design Company are the joy of golfers from 22 world countries where the architects had "adorned the landscape". Unfortunately, Russia is not one of them yet. However, the far-reaching designs of the architect have long ago had in mind the sixth part of the Earth with its vast spaces. Especially when Mr Seay is quite a fan of the Russian traditional strong drink.
When Ed got the Distinguished Service Award of the American Society of Golf Course Architects (for achievements in design and construction of golf courses and priceless contribution to the society’s activities), he gratefully accepted a bottle of genuine Russian vodka as a present and promised to drink the health of the giver.
Elena Georgieva
USD:
EUR:
