Last Night’s Shoot

Another Windsor Custom Home. 

Satisfaction

67-year old Jack Nicklaus has designed hundreds of golf courses, played golf in thousands of corporate outings and spoken to fans and media for half a century.  Here he is on the 18th green at Cordillera Ranch, after walking 18 holes on a 90-degree Texas afternoon, throwing out obligatory “thank you’s” to the deserved few.  But here’s the thing…his whole speech was stained with genuine appreciation, candid looks and uncanny accuracy.  He didn’t mispronounce anyone’s name, and he thanked and acknowledged everyone who mattered the slightest, all without ever looking at the cheat sheet there in his left hand.  This is why he is who he is.  Sure, he’s got records and majors and a death-proof legacy as a player, but Jack Nicklaus is the Tiger Woods of a previous generation.  You kids remember that.

The whole thing reminded me of watching the Rolling Stones play in Austin last fall.  How many times have they played Satisfaction?  A million?  Probably more, and they still convinced me that they enjoyed playing it, and that they were there simply to make sure I enjoyed listening to it.

Truly remarkable, both.

Not on MLS

Some friends are moving to New York and selling their home in Austin.  In my narrow-minded opinion, there are no “bargains” in central Austin, but this one is as close as it gets to one.  Post a comment if you’re interested.  This is a shot from the kitchen into their sunroom.  4/3, 2800 ft, 78703 zip, $800k.

Name that golfer

A different twist on crowd-favorite “Name that hole.”  The collective fact that I took a picture of him and him being left-handed oughta give it away for those in the Austin/San Antonio area.  And if that doesn’t, this will:  He’s a golf instructor, and I shot this one of him at the irreplaceable Briggs Ranch about two summers ago.  I think he made 10 birdies that day, even though he was hitting a knock-down-chip-out-punch here from the right rough somewhere on the back nine.

Mexican feathergrass

Here’s one of the 18th green at The Golf Club Star Ranch in Hutto.  I shot this one in the summer of 2004.  My pal Ricky Heine, Star Ranch’s GM and current president of the GCSAA has asked me to shoot some new landscapes.  Stay tuned…

Out back

So this is what it’s like living at Cordillera Ranch.  This is the back porch of the most incredible home I’ve ever set foot in.  Thanks for your hospitality, Mr. Barr.

Still alive…

Sorry to those of you who enjoy my daily posts.  I’ve been big time busy, with no time to pimp my pics.  Here’s a project I’m working on with the talented team at Design & Rhetoric, and although it may not look golfy, you could putt from the roof of this place and your ball would land on Butler Pitch-n-Putt, the best place in Austin to get a quick golf fix.

First tee shot

Here’s Jack teeing off the first hole at Cordillera Ranch, using the ceremonial driver.  Shortly thereafter, he signed it and presented the driver to David Hill.  Jack hit this shot a little left.  I wonder how David will hit it.  Or if he’ll hit it.  Doubtful.

Last tee shot

Jack on the 18th tee.

Jack’s impact

Of course, we all know what impact he’s had on the game.  Now, have a look at his impact position, here on the 11th tee at Cordillera Ranch at age 67.  Pretty darn good, I’d say.  He’d probably say his hips aren’t turned through enough and he has lost some of his initial spine angle.  That’s KD there behind him.  The tall guy wearing the caddie bib.

A final wave

This isn’t the last shot you’ll see of Jack’s day at Cordillera Ranch.  But it is a photo of him waving thanks to the crowd on the 18th green.  Props to superintendent (and Jack’s caddie for the day) Kris “KD” Davis and his staff for having the golf course in such incredible condition.  Just look at that green.  That’s a blend of A-1 and A-4 bentgrass, for those of you scoring at home.

Steaks

Jackie Burke said something like, “The guys who make big turns eat steaks.”  Jack Nicklaus is 67 years old and still makes a bigger turn than me.  I eat steak, but I sure don’t buy it with prize money.  Speaking of steak, the Exec Chef at Cordillera served Kobe beef to the freeloaders scavengers media after the press conference.  Ever had Kobe beef?  Wow.

A nice moment

That’s Cordillera Ranch president/developer David Hill sitting with Jack at the press conference on Monday.  David was telling a story of going to the offices of Nicklaus Design down there in Florida and walking around looking at all the trophies and awards and memorabilia (Jack’s probably got more cool stuff than the WGHoF).  David said (and I’m paraphrasing), “The moment I knew we had the right architect for Cordillera was when I saw a trophy from a father/son tournament Jack had played in with one of his boys.  It was the one most prominently displayed among the Masters stuff and the US Open stuff, and of all the trophies and everything he had in there, that father/son trophy meant more to him than anything.  That’s when I knew we had the right guy.”

Jack Nicklaus warming up

Here’s Jack hitting some shots on the practice warm up tee for Cordillera Ranch members and guests.  He made it clear that before a round, he doesn’t practice.  He warms up.

Jack Nicklaus

I walked 18 holes with Jack Nicklaus yesterday.  Me and 500 other people.  That’s them there, walking down the first fairway at Cordillera Ranch.  We followed along while he played and explained design specifics.  I’ve heard many, many lies stories about him being rude, but I’ll hold off judgment until it happens to me.  He was funny, smart, quick, nice, personal, genuine and everything I hoped he’d be.  More photos to come.