"Apart from the general collapse of course development due to economic reasons it may well be time for potential golf developers to reflect on future builds."

It's not a particularly new or timely topic, but caddy Colin Byrne takes on the European Tour's dreadful Ryder Cup venue selection and says "for the good of the suave and sophisticated Gleneagles complex and the integrity of the game"  he hopes "2014 marks the end of the modern era of the Ryder Cup location policy in Europe and integrity takes precedence once again over money."

Thanks to reader Brian for the heads up. Loved this:

There seems to be a trend that has developed in the past decade concerning the European Ryder Cup hosts; influential businessman, limited knowledge about course design, recognises the game as a great commercial vehicle and wants to fulfil a dream of hosting the most accessible match in professional golf to the masses in his back-yard.

Back-yards are very much what these American creations in the British Isles are. What looks good in the swamplands of Florida or the corn fields of Illinois probably would not look quite so appealing in Perthshire. Much like a links course in Georgia would probably look slightly misplaced. Apart from the general collapse of course development due to economic reasons it may well be time for potential golf developers to reflect on future builds.

I was always miffed about how American guests would flock to our shores to embrace the challenge of our type of golf and end up traipsing around a converted farm adorned with bright flowers and pretty grass patterns on finely-trimmed fairways. An experience that could be had back in the US.