2012 In Review And 2013's New Look

GeoffShackelford.com approaches its 10th anniversary after debuting in March, 2003, coinciding with the publication of Grounds for Golf. The site became a full-fledged blog with the release of The Future of Golf, and the themes in that book (the game is going to hell, etc.) have largely fueled the content to this day. (Notwithstanding the occasional forays into fire hydrant fender-benders, Christmas gift rings, etc.)

For 2013 the art department has come up with a new banner inspired by 1920s orange crate art, accented by a few personal touches like "The Captain" golf ball that may have been architect George Thomas's, a retention of the Hollywood sign homage on the hills of Simi Valley, and a new font inspired by Musselburgh's "The Cradle of Golf" sign. The golf scene is Rustic Canyon's first hole and that is yours truly whapping one down the first fairway shortly before the course opened in, gulp, 2003.

As always, thanks to the art department and site EVP Tom Nacarrato for his inspiration, wisdom and creativity. If you need Photoshop work, especially for golf course scenes like the ones he cooks up for architects making pitches to clients, please check out his website. I can personally attest to his work having taken ideas that became reality only because he could make golfers see how their modified course would look.

2012 marked year two as a partner with GolfDigest.com and hopefully those of you concerned the choice of content or my tone would change dramatically have had your concerns assuaged. I'm happy to report we march on in year three starting today.

Statistically, because of a two-month blackout on Google Analytics, I'm not entirely confident in their numbers, but I am pleased to report that in New Jersey the site's number one city remains Far Hills, I'm still popular (statistically anyway) in Ponte Vedra and the St. Andrews audience is growing! 

As with my 2012 resolution, I continue to hope to have more video coverage (as PGA Tour's regulations allow), more podcasts, more architecture and more Twitter coverage. With the many state of the game issues expected to arise in 2013, there will continue to be a nice variety of topics covered both from home in Santa Monica and on the road at various tournaments for Golf World.

With that, I want to thank everyone for reading, for your comments and your passion for the sport we all admire.

Happy New Year!