‘A View from the Rough’ by Mike Klemme

By: Dr. John Wagner


This book is a joy to peruse. The photography and quotes are marvelous and enjoyable. It reminds me that there are varied and beautiful golf courses all over the world.

The book’s job is to tie in the environmental aspects of golf course design with constructing a course containing good holes to play. It does this in an excellent manner and outlines the reasons why.

I especially liked the examples of the older designers and how they and some of our newer architects use the natural terrain to make golf holes flow. The book also demonstrates the positive relationship between the designers, superintendents, and the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program.

The book is a delight to read. Were I the superintendent of a private course, I would get copies for my green committee and board.

‘A View from the Rough’ by Mike Klemme, Sleeping Bear Press, 1995, $27.97 (hard cover), 135 pages, ISBN 1-8869-4706-6

Dr. John Wagner has been a Seattle dentist for 37 years. He’s been published in several dental journals as well as had several articles appear in the turf magazine for Pacific Northwest golf course superintendents. John has served as a guest lecturer at the University of Washington Business School for several years and as a guest lecturer for several dental societies. Dr. Wagner is the co-designer (with Steve Shea of the Berger Partnership) of a golf course in Japan that cost over $120 million and was built by Wadsworth Golf Construction. He’s a Past President of the Washington State Golf Association and the current President of the Pacific Coast Golf Association. John is currently a Member of the USGA Green Section and a Director of the WSGA.