Tell us a little about what has been your favourite project.
Difficult question - I’d like to say that all my projects are favourites, each in a different way. If I say one is the best I’m only going to upset other clients. However, one does stand out, admittedly - Ramside Hall Hotel 2 in Durham, UK - because this was the first major (27 holes) project I was responsible for in 1994 and I’d say it is still one of my best designs. I’m delighted that the client asked me back 11 years later to design a further 14 holes for him (we are making some changes to the 3rd nine to make 36 holes in total), such has been the exceptionally high demand for the golf course.
On the back of the work at Ramside I was asked by a local hotel owner to design a course for him at Linden Hall Hotel 3 in Northumberland, on a stunning site - I didn’t even have to argue or negotiate on fees - the first meeting was “we want you to design our course, this is what we’re paying you, when can you start, here’s the site!” That was amazing. Immediately after that and on the strength of the work I’d done at two other hotel courses I was appointed to design Wokefield Park 4 in Berkshire, UK - on a site with an historic listing. Here I negotiated long and hard with English Heritage to get planning consent for the 18-hole course in a beautiful parkland setting, less than 1 hour from London. Just a little mention also for Redlibbets 5, Kent, UK too, the course plays through mature oak woodland in the Kent countryside and the client and his family have become great friends.
work back in 2004 at Castleknock 6 in Dublin, Eire, as this was the highest budget I’ve been given for a new course (5m euro - except for Los Barrancos de La Zagaleta in Spain, which was a joint design). Here the client gave me free rein to design what I wanted (although he did have some excellent ideas to add). The finished product speaks for itself.
Kaskada 7 in Brno, Czech Republic also stands out because this was my first project in Central Europe - working with a Czech contractor was really challenging, but under the supervision of fellow Yorkshireman, Chris Johnson, we completed a great project in record time within the 3.5m euro budget.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
The most enjoyable aspect is seeing the drawings become reality - it is so satisfying to see a design that was conceived following a long process of surveys, assessment, analysis, negotiation, modification and fine-tuning become a three dimensional flowing landform - pure creation - which is more than just ‘satisfying’ or ‘enjoyable’.
How do you feel about changing another designers course?
If the golf course is a ‘classic’ I regard it as an honour, honestly. I just missed out on some work at Sunningdale, which I was a bit disappointed about because I’d previously done the restoration of all the bunkers at Worplesdon GC 8 (originally designed by John F Abercromby and later remodelled by Harry S Colt) and a complete reconstruction of the bunkers (plus other works) at West Hill GC 9 (a Cuthbert Butchart and Jack White original, later remodelled by Willie Park Jnr and later Harry S Colt).
West Hill and Worplesdon, especially as both clubs have such long and distinguished histories. In both cases the clubs are well-established in the Surrey sand-belt, with some important people as members in influential positions, so all eyes were on the work I was proposing. It was pretty daunting getting the committee and members to accept that what I was proposing for their courses would improve and revitalise them (as they had been neglected in design terms for many years). We went through long consultation periods after detailed historical research to make the design improvements in keeping with the works of the original architect, but playable and maintainable in the 21st century.
By carefully studying the great work of Willie Park Jnr., Harry S Colt and John F Abercromby it was possible to develop a design solution that worked for both courses - West Hill was more radical, as we undertook the complete reconstruction of the bunkers which included the importation and laying of thousands of square metres of native heather (Erica carnea and Calluna vulgaris), which has established really well. At Worplesdon it was more of a restoration because the club wanted to maintain the John F Abercromby signature. This was less satisfying, I suppose, but the project was still a major success because we also undertook a massive amount of drainage throughout the course - ensuring that this heathland course remained playable 365 days a year.
If the course is not a classic, I relish the opportunity to make improvements for the long-term benefit of the course and members - we are currently undertaking a major upgrade of Westerwood GC in Cumbernauld, Scotland, my first project in Scotland (apart for a small consultancy job at Carnoustie 5 years ago). The Westerwood course was opened in the late 1980’s and heralded as a classic design by Dave Thomas and Seve Ballesteros. Indeed, it has one of the most spectacular par 3 holes in golf - set in a deep quarry. However, over the years (and due to a succession of owners) it has suffered neglect. I am currently designing a new layout with 5 new holes on the 18-hole course, a state-of-the-art golf academy and new 9-holes executive course. We hope to begin construction in April 2007.
I enjoy reconstruction projects on existing courses that are not ‘classically’ designed, because, in general terms, the client will, invariably, give me licence to be a bit more comprehensive in design terms on the course, so I can show him / her just what can be made of it.
I’m currently working at Lexden Wood in Essex and in an initial telephone conversation the client asked my advice only on rebunkering six holes. At the first site meeting we immediately clicked ‘personality-wise’ and because I explained the great potential of his course in design terms and what could be achieved within a reasonable budget, we are now moving into the third phase of a reconstruction of the whole course. The client is really loving it - previously he just hadn’t been able to see the courses’ potential.
