I started Going for the Green in 2004, as I was sitting one afternoon at the National Post discussing whether blogs would survive the next year. At the time they were being billed as “online diaries,” and as such I thought they were a fad that would disappear.
Well, here we are eight years later and I’m still writing a couple of times each week about golf, about courses and about the people I encounter along the way.
Over the years Going for the Green has had:
- 2,307 posts, not including this one
- 9,081 comments
- 89,000 spam comments caught by the filter
Of course, it might be worth taking a look at the “greatest hits” if you’re so inclined. When I play golf with colleagues I’ll often hear about the debate on my blog. “Did you see what’s going on on RT’s blog,” is a common refrain. Anyway, if you’re interested, here are some of the most-discussed posts:
- A post with more than 50 comments about a beach road
- Another post with almost 80 comments largely about Marine Drive
- Almost 40 comments on whether it is that hard to make the move from the Nationwide (now Web.com Tour) to the PGA Tour. Jon Mills said he didn’t think it was. He was wrong.
- 40 more remarks on whether Marine Drive’s “Bullpen” was justifiable
- More than 30 remarks about Mystic Golf Club and my review of it
- 25 comments on whether a Moe Norman movie would ever get made — and it is three years since that post and still no movie
- 27 comments on my work with Mike Weir and IMG in creating Weir Golf Design
- 46 comments on the restoration of Highlands Links
- 39 comments on Kevin Thistle leaving Angus Glen.
- 27 comments about Seguin Valley, which I really disliked
I’m sure there’s more, but going through thousands of posts takes a ridiculous amount of time.
You’ll also find more than 100 course reviews I’ve written over the past years. I’m sure there are some not linked there, and my intent is to write a fair number more in coming weeks. Needless to say, some of these reviews have been a little bit contentious. Just recently I had one pro — who had told me I was not welcome at his club (I found another way to visit, and was more impressed than I expected to be), bury the hatchet (thankfully not in the back of my head) and we simply agreed to disagree. I never fail to be both baffled and impressed by the lengths people will go to in defending their home course. At least it keeps the comments section of this site active.
That said, the 10 favourite international courses I’ve played since starting this site are:
- Pine Valley
- Cypress Point
- Oakmont
- Pacific Dunes
- Bandon Dunes
- Fishers Island
- National Golf Links of America
- Shinnecock
- Royal Portrush
- Old Course
My 10 fave Canadian courses since 2004 are:
- Highlands Links
- Cabot Links
- Sagebrush
- Eagles Nest
- Tobiano
- Goodwood
- Devil’s Paintbrush
- Oviinbryd
- Toronto GC
- Humber Valley
Along the way I’ve had the chance to meet many of my readers (heck, one of them became my accountant and one is the publisher of CanadianGolfer.com, who read my old site and asked me to join him), and I really appreciate everyone who has read something on the site and taken the time to leave a remark or reach out to me by email to discuss it further. CanadianGolfer.com continues to generate hundreds of thousands of readers every year — something I would never have guessed when I started this on Blogspot one evening eight years ago.
My sincerest thanks to everyone who has stopped by.
Here’s to good golfing.
You are welcome.
Wow, Rob, time flies!
congratulations. I look at your site probably 4-5 times a week as I find golf an escape from the daily grind. You’re fortunate to have your passion as your vocation and it’s admirable. Keep it up and thank you
how many of those 20 courses did you dip into your pocket, Thommy?
Congrats RT! Love the blog. Looking forward to the next 8.
Rob,
Good work!
ive really enjoyed this site, the posts, and the insight you offer. Its always a good read and most of the debate/commentary is pretty good as well. Keep it up because its always nice to hear whats going on in the industry
Robert: I note that you have Humber Valley as a 10 Fave Canadian Course. Is this the same muni Humber Valley in Rexdale ( northern Etobicoke )??? I started golfing on this course when I was a Rexdale kid. It brings back fond memories, particularly slicing over the right side fence on the second hole and just missing the TTC buses on Wilson Avenue. Wilson Avenue runs adjacent and parallel to the second hole. Great municipal course, fun to play, mature, but a tad short.
I now live a 5 minute drive from Eagles Nest. A real gem. A little pricey, but worth it at least once a season.
Vince
Vince: Nope, the Humber Valley in Newfoundland.
Keep reading and thanks for commenting.
RT