PGATour.com reports on the latest salvage of George Thomas' original thinking at Riviera; restoring the barranca that defines the split-fairway 8th.
"The intent of the modifications, directed by Fazio Golf Course Designers, was to restore the 1926 original design intent of George Thomas' "Double Fairway built around a dry wash." In 1939, the original design intent was lost to a strong flood that scoured the "dry wash" along with the right fairway.

Phase I of the restoration, in 2000, involved restoring the right fairway. Phase II involved restoring the dry wash barranca..."It made me realise just what a gem this course is, alongside the other courses on America's Major roster, so many of which are more exacting than exciting.

After the unusual opening tee shot, from an eyrie 70 feet above the fairway, comes Ben Hogan's choice for the greatest par three in America, the bunker-within-a-green 6th, the 8th, an architectural masterpiece at the 10th and, of course, that superb amphitheatre around the 18th green.

Enduring proof that greatness can embrace quirkiness.

Good on Riviera, too, for the nuggets of wisdom from the architect that preface several holes on the website course tour. More examples here.

Image by silverhawk42532 via FlickrOh well, that went well...

Cheap Golf's Finest Holes not having struck quite the chord I was hoping, I've reverted to the Golf Course as Art as my golf architecture creative outlet of choice.

Just can't give up this love affair with golf courses...

Had a business meeting today the Saint Barth beach club, situated on the Nartelle beach it’s a great place to relax and enjoy the sun and they have free WIFI!! RN 98 - La Nartelle - 83120 Sainte-maximeTél: 04 94 96 22 73

I have been feeling very nostalgic recently and have been reminiscing about my childhood in the Far East. My father was a RAF pilot, making me and my sister military brats. Consequently, our family were posted just about everywhere in Asia and even now the memories of those fun filled years brings a smile to my face.

Tricycle rickshaw in Macao



Some where in Malaysia

Andrew is in Paris until next Monday and then he comes home to Sainte Maxime, can't wait!!

Last Friday I drove down to the three horse shoes in West Sussex with Pat and John for a lovely pub lunch. It’s been a while since I’ve had a ploughman’s lunch and I certainly wasn't disappointed.


So cute!!


Cheers and what a great view!




John taking a well deserved rest from map reading




After lunch, a walk on the South Downs and a quick siesta in the glorious sun shine



We got to Winchester a bit late in the day but after a quick cup of tea at the Maison Blanc which is run by the Raymond Blanc group we set off for a bit of sight seeing.


A bird’s eye view of the old capital of England.



Winchester Cathedral



The statue of King Alfred, remember your history lesson, he was the King that burned the cakes.





Winchester is famous for many things including Winchester school the oldest of the original nine English public schools.

A great day out and one I will remember for a long time.

Fish and chips for dinner, oh yeah!!

After 25 years of marriage Jacqueline and her husband Paul went for counseling.

When asked what the problem was, Jacqueline went into a passionate, painful tirade listing every problem they had ever had in the 25 years they had been married.
She went on and on and on: neglect, lack of intimacy, emptiness, loneliness, feeling unloved and unlovable, an entire laundry list of unmet needs she had endured over the course of their marriage.
Finally, after allowing this to go on for a sufficient length of time, the therapist got up, walked around the desk and, after asking Jacqueline to stand, he unbuttoned her blouse, embraced her, put his hands on her breasts, and kissed her passionately as her husband Paul watched with a raised eyebrow.
Jacqueline shut up, buttoned up her blouse, and quietly sat down as though in a daze.
The therapist turned to Paul and said, This is what your wife needs at least three times a week. Can you do this?'
Paul thought for a moment and replied, 'Well, I can drop her off here on Mondays and Wednesdays, but on Fridays, I play golf.'

Drove down to Worcester to pick up Andrew from university yesterday. On the way down and in beautiful sunshine, we stopped off for lunch and a walk along the Kennet and Avon canal

The Dundas Inn Kintbury, Berkshire on the banks of the River Kennet and The Kennet and Avon canal.








So English! Stumbled upon this garden party on the banks of the river














I have got to get one of these




I got my sister to pose in front of this sign without her knowing:)






British milk on Hungerford common, I love it

Lunch with John and Pat at the Fox and Hounds near the gates of Windsor Great Park




View of Windsor castle from the King George III statue



Prince Andrews front gate

King George III

Lunch

A glorious sunny day

Our son Lewis and his friends at the Association Laurette Fugain 2009 parade in Paris last week.

Artiste: - Victoria Petrosillo - Anne J - Remi Rouane - Charlotte B - Lewis James - David Vendetta

It will be nice to spend a few days at the family home.

Bloody fantastic!!!

It's now the time to wear sunglasses from dawn to dusk.

While we were biking around Port Grimaud, Lewis was giving it some at the ASSOCIATION LAURETTE FUGAIN parade in Paris.





Lewis free styling with DJ David Vendetta mixing.





Look who's here!! Rebecca who is back from Switzerland for a quick visit.

These days are long gone! lol

Yes, sometimes it rains here on the Riviera!!

After 4 fantastic sunny days this week, my Next Level school finished with us swinging in the rain! Still we all had a good time and the girls have gone back to Switzerland with a tan, a better golf swing and a much improved short game!

Our son Andrew has been named in the -20's Great Britain basketball 2009 squad.
24 players have been called up, but only 15 will attend the training camp in June, 12will then be selected to participate in the European championships in Macedonia, July 16-26..... fingers crossed he makes it!! Click here for article

KYLIE MINOGUE and her boyfriend spends £40,000 on golf equipment, Read more

If you have ever wondered how they cut the fairways so quickly at Augusta National!!!