“My 6 Beats Your 7!” At least that’s according to the philosophy of Andy Staples, the much-in-demand golf architect who is, dare we say it, is revolutionizing the game of golf. According to Staples, “We as architects spend a fair bit of time discussing how golfers should experience courses. One trend I hope to be out in front on is this idea of designing a course specifically for match play; a format many enjoy watching every couple years through the Ryder and Presidents Cups. You may have heard of Ohooppee Match Club in Georgia, which is the first to my knowledge in the modern day golf courses being designed exclusively for match play. I’ve just finished a 2nd at PGA National. Built on the site of the old Squire Course, I’ve fashioned a concept that converts these outdated 18 holes into a 9-hole par 3 course called The Staple, and an 18-hole match play course called The Match, all on the same property. As it stands today, there will be no par, the course will not be rated, stroke play will be forbidden (without using hand cuffs), and specific “house rules” will guide players through the course, with the intention of playing a four ball, foursomes, a team scramble, Wolf, you name it! As I’ve become accustomed to saying in describing The Match, ‘My 6 beats your 7!’”