The games most interesting courses posses a sense of place, they feature landscapes and design features that are inherently different. Encouraging each golf course to be as unique as possible is at the forefront of my thinking whether creating new holes and features, or lightly-polishing existing courses.
I believe that individuality is best achieved through the process of ‘Design-Shape’. Tried-and-tested by the preeminent golf course architects of today, this hands-on approach recognises the inseparable relationship between design and construction!
The architect is engaged in the design - understanding the landforms, soil characteristics, hydrology, plant textures, historical and cultural nuances of your course - from start to finish.
Bringing efficiency to the process, with an assurance for the best architectural results, this method is as perfectly suited to modestly operating club in the British Isles as it is to creating the world’s best courses…
Finishing the Sixth Green (Shaped By Eric Iverson) - St Patrick’s Links; Ireland
Consulting
For those clubs looking for an experienced set of eyes, to understand if and how their course could be improved. Leaning on an in-depth knowledge of golf course design and construction across all eras, advice can be provided on specific issues, or as a course-wide review…
How it Works?:
Each club has its own individual character and needs…
Initial observations acquire a feel for what is on the ground, with an eye to the architectural history of the course. It is important for the club to have a common goal (or ‘mission statement’) from which we can work together. With this understanding we can evaluate where the balance should lie between a ‘restorative’ approach and a careful consideration for fresh ideas within the courses’ existing architectural DNA.
Having developed a growing familiarity with the course, and then presented ideas (see bottom of page), it would be usual to begin with the least disruptive (and costly) measures. Adjustments to the mowing lines of fairways and greens can often be achieved simply, with the benefit of improved strategy and playability. Tree management can have a similar aspect, for limited expenditure. This allows us to build a confidence with the membership, ahead of more permanent measures such as the introduction of new teeing angles, reshaping bunkers etc.
Depending on the scale, timeframe and budget constraints of a project, I am comfortable operating in partnership with a contractor or the in-house greens staff. But, to guarantee quality, I generally insist on doing the shaping work myself. This approach eliminates the potential for costly miscommunication and ensures maximum efficiency translating design ideas into actual golf features. After all, the great architects of the ‘Golden Age’ would, in many cases, have been on-site to eyeball the subtleties during construction first time around!
Dedicating additional time to site, places me in a better position to identify, prioritize and address all of the issues that deserve attention. Decisions are informed, and problems solved quickly to limit delays and potential complications.
Proposed bunker restoration & touch-ups to the 5th - Alwoodley GC; England
Photo-rendering of a proposed new 16th - Arikikapakapa GC; New Zealand
Shaping
There are a multitude of problems to be solved on every golf hole! Playing strategies must work seamlessly with the technical function of a hole, all with an eye for artistic composition.
The ability to bulk-earthwork, rough shape, feature shape, and finish shape gives me the opportunity to contribute to a project at a wide range of scales and stages in the design process. Working quickly from the seat of a machine allows ideas to be tested, and then further refined, so that the subtleties that make the great courses special are just right. More time is dedicated to executing the design where it really matters…in the ground!
The spirit of collaboration:
The best courses in the world are a product of collaboration. With a passion for creating thought-provoking courses, that encourage fun golf…I welcome and encourage the opportunity to work alongside other creative minds.
Re-shaping the 18th tee complex - St. Enodoc GC; England
Design Documents
Naturally I would prefer to be on site, learning more about your golf course, and engaging with the dirt…but, to get to that point, first comes the planning, budgeting, and communication of ideas.
With a proficiency in CAD, Photoshop and desktop publishing - to go alongside ground and drone photography - products range from photo-realistic design renderings to full master-plan reports.
Stimulating the artistic process, plan-drawings provide a basis from which to fine tune a site-specific design solution.
New tees help Colt’s nine holes play as eighteen - Leckford GC; England