Features
GOLF COURSE ARCHITECTS’
VISION: GARY PLAYER
WHEN DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN
DESIGNING GOLF COURSES?
I became involved designing golf course first
as a consultant in the early 1970’s during my
playing career. It was fantastic to be part of many
projects, and really, made me to realize this
would be a great second career after my prime.
HOW MANY COURSES HAVE YOU
DESIGNED?
Gary Player Design has nearly 400 courses
around the world on five continents and 37
countries and we have 46 active projects
around the world.
WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO BECOME
A GOLF COURSE ARCHITECT?
My son Marc, who operates Black Knight
International and all the Gary Player brands,
saw the opportunity to create and build one
of the top golf course architecture firms in
the world. It was as like a new breath of life
for me. The Senior Tour was just getting
started, but the schedule is not a rigorous as
a PGA or European Tour pro. It was a natural
transition. I love going out on site visits,
getting my hands dirty, and visualizing the
potential of a new course.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE GOLF
COURSE TO PLAY?
There are so many I love. The Links at
Fancourt in South Africa is special to me
as it hosted the Presidents Cup in 2003. St.
Andrews is another dear to my heart because
24
it is the home of golf. Most recently I am so
excited about opening a course at Big Cedar
Lodge in the United States. It’s a nifty 13-
hole short course designed for families and
t