Sand and Sea meet for Kohler and Keiser

Herb Kohler sat down for an interview this week (big shock, that one) with the USGA, Rand Jerris, and assorted media. I was not present, so I’ll have to take them all at their respective words.

HERB KOHLER

In the interview, he hinted at the type of project that makes his whistle pucker: “Our minds are going, and our search for land is continuing. There aren’t many areas left in this country, frankly, especially shoreline, especially on water you can’t see across. Very little land in this country left to build great golf courses. But there are those kinds of areas elsewhere in this world, and that’s what we’re looking for.”

It is interesting to note that the two great builders of courses these days (not architects, builders) have surnames that begin with “K,” are both midwesterners (by adoption or by birth) and seek the same locale for future developments. In a Golf Club Atlas interview conducted in 2005, Keiser made essentially identical statements to those of Kohler (the questions are preceded by numbers):

“4. Would you ever consider opening a low cost public facility in a metropolitan area that would provide quality golf for a large audience?

Yes, if the site were worthwhile and sandy. It can be cost prohibitive to buy in metro areas, but we do think about it.

20. Where in the world will the next ‘Bandon’ be?

Tasmania? Southwest Ireland? Alberta, Canada? Who knows? I think the South Coast of Oregon could be known as America’s Linksland. There’s 50 miles of sand dunes on the Pacific.”

MIKE KEISER

If you know of a place that might interest either Mike or Herb, I suggest that you let them know. For me, there is a place across the water from South Buffalo called Sherkston (Ontario.) They have a quarry and lots of dunesland. Thoughts on a finder’s fee?