swale on the new green

Subsequent to last week’s post on the Yale CC transformation nightmare, the New York Times published a complete piece this past Sunday.

The problem here is basic.  The considerable funds raised by Yale alumni to fund the restoration were not adequately supported by the university.  Money alone with a leading designer does not create the masterpiece that the donors envisioned.  The property and potential of the historic CB MacDonald design should yield one of the best courses in the United States.  Instead it is a wasteland of embarrassment.  Here is a direct quote directly from the New York Times piece quoted by a Yale alumnus who is a current golfer on the Korn Ferry Tour. “When I heard that we’re putting $30 million in, bringing Gil Hanse in, all these thoughts and feelings arose of, wow, it’s finally going to get the attention it deserves”  The university finally sees its value”  “Then for them to drop the ball, that doesn’t surprise me.” Another Yale alum and financial supporter quoted, “If someone gave you a Rembrandt, you’d take care of it,”   “We’ve got a Rembrandt of golf course architecture.”  (New York Times-October 10, 2026)

The problem here again is basic.  You have to have the goal of making this course one of the best in the country.  You are already blessed with a wonderful design and a great piece of property backed by one of the most prestigious universities in the country.  Alas, the university doesn’t really care about making this happen.  Instead of admitting the lack of adequate attention of the redesign and the problems that have surfaced, the Yale administration is in denial stating the course conditions are merely a phase in the next chapter of the course’s development.  If Yale is serious about realizing the potential of this wonderful design, a significant attitude adjustment is required by the Yale administration in addition to the commitment of considerable resource management to maintenance.

The proof of intent will be in the “doing.”  The credibility of the university’s attitude towards golf and its gem is already highly suspect despite the support of its alumni.  It seems that until Yale realizes that this property needs to become a joyful asset of the university, it will continue to disappoint.  I would recommend the following:

1.  A statement of intent from Yale University administration that admits to the errors incurred in the transformation of this property combined with a commitment to create the best university golf property in the country.  Buttress this statement with the additional funding required to close the gap.
2. Hire the best available experts in the management and maintenance of golf properties combined with the Hanse organization to gradually improve the situation.
3. Keep golf carts off the course for at least the next year.
4. Restrict play to a fixed number of rounds per day.
5. Engage the USGA to review course conditions and sponsor a major amateur competition perhaps in 2028 to verify that the course has become benchmark in national golf course rankings.

It remains to be seen if the Yale administration is serious about achieving the objectives that this great design deserves.  We look forward to an “ivy standard” course direction.