Features
IS THERE A CERTAIN PLACE OR
COUNTRY WHERE YOU WOULD LIKE
TO DESIGN A COURSE?
Yes. Gary Player Design has yet to design a
course in Australia. Once we get there, we
will have a course on six continents.
HOW DO YOU DESIGN A COURSE
THAT IS CHALLENGING FOR
DIFFERENT LEVELS OF HANDICAP?
DO YOU FOR INSTANCE TAKE
AVERAGE DRIVING DISTANCE INTO
ACCOUNT?
With the technology put in today’s
equipment, most people can hit the ball a
long way. If the golfer is playing a challenging
course it’s their responsibility to
play off the tees that best suits
their game so they will have an
enjoyable round. No sense in a
player that drives the ball less
than 200 yards to hit off the
Championship tees.
HOW DO YOU DESIGN A GOLF
COURSE THAT IS FUTURE PROOF?
That’s impossible. Even St. Andrews has
had to make adjustments. Augusta National
makes changes every year to improve
their course. It’s important to listen to the
members, and if a redesign is necessary we
are happy to do what they desire.
DO YOU TAKE THE SUN AND WIND
IN ACCOUNT WHEN DESIGNING A
GOLF COURSE?
Absolutely. You must prepare around every
factor. Which direction does the sun rise
and set? Do we want a hole next a body of
water to be effected by the wind? No detail is
overlooked.
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DO YOU THINK A GOLF COURSE
SHOULD ALWAYS START WITH
AN EASY HOLE AND END WITH A
DIFFICULT ONE?
I like when a golf course starts out with a par
5 that’s not too long. That way, if a player
hits a bad shot off the tee or with his iron, he
really has an extra chance to get things going
and enjoy the rest of his round.
DO YOU HAVE A DREAM PROJECT?
My dream is to design a course that will be
the leader in rounds played across the world,
where ever that may be. I love this game, and
want to increase rounds worldwide on all
courses. Players enjoying your course is so,
so important.
WHAT WILL YOUR NEXT
PROJECT BE (OR WHAT
IS/ARE YOUR CURRENT
PROJECT(S))?
We have several projects in Vietnam and all
around the world from the US to Europe to
Asia that are in the design phase. Our next
course that will open is the short course I
spoke about at Big Cedar Lodge.
WHICH ARCHITECT WOULD YOU LIKE
US TO INTERVIEW NEXT? WHY?
Our Senior Designers, Jeff Lawrence and
Steven McFarlane, are the best in the
business. No doubt worth your time for an
interview to talk more in-depth about our
current projects.
The Golf Marketing Professionals I www.golfindustrycentral.com.au