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Renaissance Preview Day Brings Rave Reviews

       Preview Day at The Renaissance Club evinced what many investors, members and guests strongly anticipated as they arrived for the first time to the Tom Doak designed tract – a course of stunning beauty surrounded by striking views.
       Nearly 200 visitors, including Ben Crenshaw, Nick Faldo, Peter Jacobsen, George Peper, Debbie Clemens, Jay Haas, John Mahaffey, George O’Grady and a coterie of golf’s esteemed media either toured or played the 7,435-yard course that sits astride some of the highest ground on the Firth of Forth. Despite the rainy weather that hounded England and dampened the Open Championship the week before, a 72-degree, blue sky day tipped its hat in an auspicious introduction to a course that received glowing reviews from everyone in attendance.
            “We were very fortunate to have the course develop so quickly, in virtually eleven months,” said Jerry Sarvadi, general partner of the Renaissance Club and the day’s host, along with architect, Tom Doak.  “We are right on target for our April, 2008 opening.”
As people strolled up the 18th hole with its two landmark ancient stone walls traversing the fairway, their faces were etched in delight.

        “This will be an outstanding course when it opens next spring,” said Golf Digest senior golf writer Jaime Diaz.

       Tiger Woods’ website editor, Mark Soltau, echoed similar sentiments. “I think it will be one of the country’s most anticipated new courses,” he said.

       Indeed, the course was the star of the week. With the Open Championship concluding the week before and the British Senior Open starting the following Thursday next door at Muirfield, the buzz among the media was The Renaissance Club. The production and broadcast teams from ESPN, ABC, and TNT, which included Chris Ohlmeyer, Billy Krazert, Jim Huber and Terry Gannon, played the course. All were extremely complimentary.
O’Grady, who serves as European Tour Commissioner, visited with an eye towards evaluating the course as a future venue for his tour. According to Renaissance Club officials, he was impressed by what he saw and discussions will continue after the course opens in the Spring of 2008.
       Crenshaw, who had a Tuesday afternoon Pro-Am tee time at Muirfield, took a tour of the course with Doak, before going to Muirfield.
       “I didn't want to miss seeing this --I had to see what Tom's been up to,” he said before the two rode out in a buggy, accompanied by General Manager W.W. “Billy” Peterson, to view the course.
       Since Doak arrived on Monday, he spoke alternately with media and guests on The Renaissance Club, explaining how the land was ideal to shape using his minimalist style, a trademark which has made him one of the most sought after architects in the world. For the three days, Doak could be seen traversing the course, more than likely noticing nuances throughout its splendid layout that would only reveal themselves in time to the layman’s eye.
       Guests came from throughout Scotland, England and the U.S and were treated to a day of Scottish and American fare, drink and golf. Also, on hand greeting visitors were joint venture partner, Hamilton and Kinneil, Ltd’s, Fraser Niven and Director of Golf, Stewart Smith, as well as Peterson.
       In addition to the national media, a news crew from KTRK, Houston, was in attendance to film a one-half hour special on Scottish golf. Of particular interest to the KTRK feature were The Renaissance Club’s Paul and Jerry Sarvadi, whom it portrayed as a rare breed of U.S investors who are among the first Americans to build a golf course in Scotland. Both men admitted the course was as much a legacy to their father, who over the years kept the six Sarvadi brothers together through golf.
       As people gathered in the marquee located aside the 18th green and near the site of the emerging Renaissance Club lodge, the glistening Firth of Forth lay just across the hill and in the distance, Edinburgh, a fine and proper site to anyone finishing a magnificent round of golf on what is destined to be one of Scotland’s most memorable courses.