Classic Design

So much is made about the need or desire to renovate, or restore, golf courses of the Golden Age of golf design. This is the period of design leading up to, and including, the 1920's. It usually doesn't matter who the architect was, if it was designed in that timeframe, it is considered classic.

I've worked on many courses from that era and they all have their own merits. However, most have been changed beyond recognition from when they first opened and
cannot be brought back. In such cases, a sympathetic look at the course is required. This can still bring elements of the lost style back to the course, all while keeping in mind today's golfer and maintenance practices.

When I work on a course that was designed by a known architect, careful planning must be taken. I'll work with the course to develop a plan that utilizes the best the course has to offer. Looking at old photos and plans is always a great tool, after all it gives us design ideas. But you need to remember that that is how the course looked and played at that time. Fairways were wider because they had less trees and no irrigation. I don't think you could find anyone who would want to bring a course back to those days.

All courses evolve and all designers evolve. If you brought Ross or MacKenzie back to design a course today, they would have different philosophies given the advancements we have made in construction, maintenance, and technology.