11 Stone Valley Resort near Hanoi, Vietnam, has opened its third nine, designed by Brian Curley, ASGCA. The resort opened its first 18 holes, also designed by Curley, in 2018, with the new nine playing within a landscape that includes towering Karst rock formations and densely vegetated jungle. Curley highlights the third-to-fifth stretch as some of his favorite holes. “The third is a mid-length par four with a wide landing area and a fairway that narrows as players get closer to the green,” he said. “Behind the green is a towering jungle and rock formations. The par-five fourth wraps around a creek to a reachable green fronted by the creek and rock outcrops. And the long par-four fifth offers the most stunning backdrop of all. It has a slightly elevated green with a creek to the front and is backdropped by the tallest rock-faced mountain found on the site.” DIGEST The par-four fifth on the new nine at Stone Valley, designed by Brian Curley, ASGCA Photo: Schmidt-Curley Stone Valley opens third nine from Brian Curley In the latest podcast from Golf Course Industry’s “Tartan Talks” series, Garrett Gill, ASGCA, talks about his golf course design philosophy and his future in the business. “In golf course design, it’s almost anything goes,” says Gill. “It has to be playable and attract golfers to come back again and again. “What differentiates golf course architects is philosophy. The easy way to think about different philosophies is bunkers. I see them as an adjustable element, and I try to design them as a chance for recovery. For me, bunkers can be defensible, but they shouldn’t destroy you.” Gill has been in the golf course design business since the 1980s and he isn’t slowing down. “I think the career of a golf course architect keeps climbing and climbing and it’s something I look forward to,” says Gill. “I’m heading towards 70 next year and I can see myself getting better and better. I feel like I still have a good life ahead of me as a golf course architect. “The golf business values respect, integrity and honesty, and I've been fortunate to work with some brilliant clients in my time.” Listen to the full “Tartan Talk” at golfcourseindustry.com. “ What differentiates golf course architects is philosophy” Garrett Gi l l , ASGCA • Michael Benkusky, ASGCA, discusses his recent work in the Midwest and Florida • David Ferris, ASGCA, speaks about his 25-year partnership with ASGCA Past President John Sanford Here are links to other recent “Tartan Talks,” now featuring over 70 episodes:
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