I believe that a properly designed golf course can provide an enjoyable experience for the average golfer while at the same time offer the challenge and strategy that the more skilled golfer seeks. We start each engagement by working to understand our client’s niche in the market and what sets the their course apart from other courses in the area.
We’ve studies and worked on courses crafted by many of the golden-age architects and have a great appreciation for their ability to create masterpieces without the use of bulldozers or scrapers. Understanding the nuances of C.B. McDonald’s or Raynor’s template holes, MacKenzie’s lines of play or Tillinghast’s intricate greens and master bunkers is important when a private club is trying to differentiate their facility and increase or preserve membership. Respecting the unique heritage of the course can be critical in creating a successful renovation.
Public or municipal course operators on the other hand are not always concerned with strategy or architectural pedigree. Providing an enjoyable experience where the golfer won’t feel intimidated or rushed is important to insuring the long-term success of the public golf course and to growing the game. The placement of bunkers and water hazards, the positioning of tees and the contouring of the greens all play a role in creating an enjoyable experience. We recognize that the average golfer at a municipal or public golf course is not necessarily playing golf for the challenge and strategy of the game. In fact, they may not even keep score or have a USGA handicap.
Lastly, we believe that there exists a strong relationship between the natural and the built environment and that a well-designed golf course should respond to the existing site and blend easily into the surrounding landscape. Using the natural drainage patterns, preserving existing vegetation and minimizing earth moving results in a course which is less expensive to construct, less costly to maintain and one that is more aesthetically pleasing to the eye.