Hal Phillips

Hal Phillips is a Maine-based freelance writer, managing director of Mandarin Media, Inc., and former editor-in-chief of Golf Course News.

CSI golf greens

How a group of inquisitive scientists developed a water, soil and available-nutrition testing collaborative for the industry’s most treasured surfaces.

Incoming GCBAA president emphasizing safety in 2025

Jon O’Donnell takes office fresh off Heritage Links’ 25th anniversary.

Making the grade — at or near grade

It can only be natural and intimate if it drains. Go inside the design and construction methodology at Florida’s new Soleta Golf Club.

‘Not a song or a dance’

Superintendent Robin Sadler breaks down everything he and the Mickelson National team have done to become the first GEO Certified facility in Canada.

What to do about the s-word?

An Arizona turf veteran explains the methodology he used to help neutralize the salty problem facing desert courses.

Time well spent in the Land of the Long White Cloud

A destination course leaned on its crew to regrass playing surfaces when golf tourism slowed. The work produced even more oohs and aahs once visitors returned to New Zealand.

Hanse blends vintage, modern at Ballyshear Links

Phase I development is complete at Thailand’s Ban Rakat Club, which was conceived as an homage to The Lido.

Landscape enhancers

A 36-hole facility in the California desert revamps its plant palette and irrigation system to satisfy modern water, labor, golf and homeowner realities.

Restoring Ross at Florida’s oldest club

Fry/Straka at work on Belleair CC, just 98 short years after Donald Ross returned to redesign his own 1915 effort.

Not all course closures are forever

Courses are still closing, but at a lower rate than before the start of the pandemic — and some once-shuttered courses are even reopening their doors.