It's a Wonderful Life - Douglas H. McCorkindale CEO of Gannett Company Inc - Brief Article

Chief Executive, The, Oct, 2000 by John Steinbreder

THE NEW GANNET CEO is 61 years old, and some people might think that anyone in his seventh decade would start to slow down on the golf course. But not McCorkindale. In fact, the six-handicapper has actually been looking for a little more from the game in recent years than just playing casual weekend rounds with friends. "That's why I am competing in a lot of tournaments these days," he says. "I don't mean major amateur events or anything like that. I'm talking about club events, and I like that feeling of pressure you get in tournaments like those, where you have to make all your putts and every shot counts. That's one of the fun things in golf, and I really like the challenge."

It stands to reason then that McCorkindale's favorite hole would be one of the most challenging in golf--the par-three 5th at the hallowed Pine Valley Golf Club in Southern New Jersey. "It's a great hole and an extremely intimidating one," says the New York City native, who has been with Gannett since 1971. "If you miss right, you are in real trouble. If you miss left, you have problems too. You cannot be above the pin, or the ball will roll right off the green. And anything really short is almost impossible.

"Just standing on the tee can scare you, but if you do what you're supposed to do and not let fear enter into your swing, then it really isn't that bad."

The 5th at Pine Valley, which measures 221 yards from the regular markers and 232 yards from the back tees, plays uphill to a smallish green surrounded by woods. A drive must carry about 200 yards, over a pond and then a pair of bunkers. "One of the reasons why I think it's such a great hole is that you really have to think where you're going to put the ball," says McCorkindale, who is a longtime member at Pine Valley and plays some 20 rounds a year there. "You have to make a good club selection off the tee, get a good ball position on the green, and deal with all the mental pressure the hole puts on you and your swing."

The tee for McCorkindale's favorite golf hole is right next to the club house at Pine Valley, which is often ranked by golf magazines as the top course in the country. And regulars like to joke that the hole is so tough that players are often tempted to retire there for a drink and a hand of gin rummy after playing it. Or after trying to play it.

But not McCorkindale. "It's the challenge that makes it so good to me," he says. "That's why it's my favorite."

John Steinbreder is a senior writer for Golf Week magazine and is the author of five books, including Golf Courses of the U.S. Open.

DOUGLAS H. MCCORKINDALE

CEO, Gannett Co.

PINE VALLEY GOLF CLUB

LOCATION: Clementon, NJ

HOLE: 5th, par-three, 232 yards from the back markers, 221 yards from the regular tees

HOLE DESCRIPTION: This long parthree requires an uphill carry of at least 200 yards to an apron of fairway that runs up to a narrow but long green. A large bunker guards the front of the green to the left, and there is also a narrow waste bunker to the right. Errant drives will ricochet off the trees that rise around both sides of the green and make a double bogey or worse almost inevitable. Players hit anything from drive to two-iron, depending on the wind and their length off the tee. And if they hit the green, they hope the ball stays below the hole; anything putted from above will likely run off.

COURSE ARCHITECT: George Crump and H.S. Colt

CLUB DESCRIPTION: Pine Valley is one of the most exclusive private clubs in America. The club counts George Bush, Arnold Palmer, Sean Connery, Gary Player, Bob Hope, and many top business executives as its members. The par-70 course measures 6,667 yards from the back tees and 6,436 yards from the regular markers and is rightfully regarded as one of the toughest in the world. And with a back-tee slope rating of 153, it's not hard to understand why. But it's also an eminently fair and enjoyable course that understandably attracts golfers from all over the world.