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Background
As readers will know we have from the outset contested the Audubon Park golf course renovation at least partly
on the grounds that the project does nothing to benefit the majority
of park users and in fact represents an ill-conceived waste of money that could have been better spent on the maintenance
of the park as whole for the benefit of all.
Unsurprisingly, Institute spokespeople have countered this position from the start by claiming that the project
was motivated at least in part by the well being of the non-golfing park public.
Around the time of the opening of the new course in October 2002, Audubon spokespeople were joined by journalistic
commentators and some members of the public in commenting on the beauty of the new course, and on its
spectacular vistas stressing that these are for the enjoyment of all, golfers or otherwise.
Holy Name of Jesus
One particular aspect of the newly renovated course has received more direct commentary than any other: the beautiful
view across the course to the Holy Name of Jesus church on St Charles Avenue.
Golf Digest magazine lead off its review of the new course (here) with
a photograph taken from the course, looking towards St Charles. (see right)
Beautiful indeed.
Institute Chief Operating Officer Dale Stastny was quoted in the Times-Picayune as remarking:
"It's extraordinarily beautiful with gorgeous views of the course, the trees,
Loyola University and Holy Name of Jesus Church" on St. Charles Avenue."
This particular view was possibly also on CEO Ron Forman's mind when he said
"Our goal was to create an excellent course to delight golfers and non-golfers
alike. This new course does that and more"
The view certainly impressed Angus Lind, who wrote of the "ever-present view from all over the course of the beautiful steeple of the
Holy Name of Jesus Church on St. Charles Avenue" which together with the beauty of the course itself contributes to
a "visual sensory overload".
One letter writer in the Times-Picayune was even more enthusiastic
Constable's view of the plains around Salisbury Cathedral has a new rival for
pastoral beauty.
Credit where credit is due
While the setting of Audubon Park in such a beautiful and historic part of New Orleans does indeed allow it
to boast a spectacular view that is not available to most suburban golf course planners, we might point
out that the church itself, and the magnificent trees that contribute to the vista were already there long
before the golf course renovation - indeed long before the Audubon Institute itself.
Indeed if you look closely at the picture you can see that the Audubon Institute has been responsible only
for the addition of the flag and the flower bed.
Perhaps this is next?
Hurst Path
While talking-up the view of Holy Name, it is also worth noting that the best view of the church (and the one
chosen for the picture above) is to be had from the middle of the golf course.
Surprisingly, Institute spokespeople have not acknowledged that had their plan to close Hurst Walk not been
so vociferously opposed by those they now label "complainers", the non-golfing public would have only a very
distant view.
Other beauty spots
Also absent from Institute and journalistic commentary on the beauty of the new course, was any mention of the
two new structures on the course itself (the pumphouse and the unannounced new building at the St Charles end of the course).
No mention either of the enormous cart-storage shed which is more clearly visible from any point on the
jogging path than any other feature of the course. Oh, and the 8,000 square foot clubhouse that is to be
built.
Ignoring these issues of beautification, Angus Lind in the Times-Picayune waxes lyrical instead about
"...the yellow
waterlilies in the lagoons, the flowers in bloom, the sparkling white sand in
the traps, the trees all neatly trimmed and the deep green color of the fairways
and greens."
Not to mention that
"I was promised by the leadership of the Audubon Institute that the greens would
be some of the best in the city and the fairways would be lush with wide
concrete cart paths."
Well the greens and fairways may indeed be lush and, erh, green but one has to wonder what non-golfing and
nature seeking park users would make of "sparkling white sand", trees "neatly trimmed" and "wide concrete cart
paths". With benefits like these, who needs John Charles Olmsted?
Talking of Olmsted, father and son, Dale Stastny had this to say about the overall effect:
The result is "entirely consistent with John Charles Olmsted's concept of
vistas of contours, oak trees and the skies when the park was originally
designed."
We have noticed before ANI's tendency to quote park designer and "father of American landscape design" Frederick
Olmsted and his heir John Charles in support of their landscaping efforts. In response to this particular comment
by Mr Stastny one letter writer to the Times-Picayune wrote:
"For Dale Stastny to say the golf course renovation is "consistent with John
Charles Olmsted's concept" is a hoot. (Full letter here)
How does a 7,800-square-foot clubhouse with parking lots, golf cart storage
and lights fit Olmsted's desire to meld natural landscapes in one small green
area?
Took the words...?
In his article Recommended course, Times-Picayune writer Angus Lind spoke highly
of the new course both from a golfing perspective and in terms of its beauty for non-golfers.
Among the approving comments taken from a "cross section" of golfers that he quoted, we discovered this strange
coincidence:
A tough course that makes you use virtually every club in your bag.
Unattributed golfer comment, October 2002.
This is a course where you will have to use every club in your bag
Audubon Institute executive Dale Stastny, July 2001
Coincidence? Or are the Times-Picayune interviewing Audubon officials to find out what a "cross-section" of the public thinks?
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