“The strategy of the golf course is the soul of the game.” – George C. Thomas, Jr.

“In planning a golf course there are no fixed rules to which it is compulsory to conform, and the variety which results is one of the greatest charms of the game.” – C.H. Alison

During my 25 years in the profession, I have been fortunate to pursue a dream that I had as a young child to someday design golf courses. Although the road has had some rough spots, my love for the game of golf and the profession of golf course design has never wavered.

I truly believe that my best work is still in front of me. Don’t get me wrong, I am proud of my earlier work but I now understand how little I really understood about golf course design. Even now, I find myself constantly learning new truths about this profession. I’m convinced it’s because I finally have a clear vision of the type of course design that inspires me.

“The direct line to the hole is called the line of instinct, and to make a great hole you must break up that line in order to create a line of charm. The line of charm is the provocative path that shaves off distance and provides an ideal line into the green, usually by skirting bunkers and other hazards. The golfer wants the most direct line he can find to the hole, while the architect uses bunkers and other hazards to create risk and reward options that suggest the ideal line for the player, or the line of charm.” – Max Behr

What inspires me today is the continued study of both the courses and architects representing the Golden Age of Golf Course Architecture. This period from 1910 to 1937 provides us with some of the greatest examples of course design in the history of the profession. I find myself amazed at the work these architects created without a fraction of the technology and innovation that we have at our disposal today. These courses reflect a simple “craftsmanship” not evident in many of today’s modern courses. Whether this was intentional or simply a product of not having the equipment capabilities we have today, the end result speaks for itself. It is my desire to create this same “craftsman-like” feel with my courses. Of course, isn’t that the real challenge for all architects – to make “new” look timeless and handcrafted?

“All artificial hazards should be made to fit into the ground as if placed there by nature. To accomplish this is a great art. Indeed, when it is really well done, it is – I think it may truly be said – a fine art, worthy of the hand of a gifted sculptor.” – Robert Hunter

So enjoy yourself as you visit these pages. I hope that you catch a glimpse of my passion for golf and golf course architecture.

“The object of golf architecture is to give an intelligent purpose to the striking of a golf ball.” – Max Behr
“The greatest courses invariably offer a choice of alternatives.” – Tom Simpson & H.N. Wethered