What do you believe is the perfect length for a par 3?

Again, my answer to this relates to the one above. But there are some excellent par 3’s between 130 and 170 metres throughout the world, probably one of my favourites is the 15th at Kingsbarns (Mark Parsinen / Kyle Phillips design) - from the regular tees this is a great six or seven iron with a cross wind from the west. I also really like the 11th at Castleknock, even though I designed it. But it is pure ‘risk and reward’ stuff over a lake to a subtly undulating green - all in view from the lounge of the hotel. Pure drama.


Do you apply any modern features to your courses?

By this I guess you suggest something like buggy tracks and complicated double and triple row full-fairway irrigation systems? If so, it depends upon the project and the client. Invariably, all of my resort projects have buggy tracks designed into them and the more prestigious the project the more emphasis is placed upon having playable and maintainable high quality surfaces year-round - so, irrigation systems get more complex to deal with this.


What do you see as the next ‘big thing’ in golf course design?

It has to be Tiger Woods designing an 8,000 yard course. It was only a matter of time before he got involved in design. He’ll certainly make the game more accessible (hopefully) as long as he doesn’t get too drawn into creating purely exclusive resorts. It would be good seeing him design a course on a brownfield site or wasteland or a landfill site, somewhere near a big city.


What is your favourite golf course in the world?

I particularly like Morfontaine, near Paris in France - a classic Tom Simpson original (which is currently being modified by Kyle Phillips). I played there about 10 years ago and remember the place for many reasons apart from the beauty of the setting.

I quite like the ruggedness and exposed nature of the Ailsa course at Turnberry and Southerness, too - both MacKenzie Ross classics. And West Hill in Surrey is truly a hidden gem - there are some really challenging holes there.


Who are your favourite golf course designers and why?

I mention Philip MacKenzie Ross before - he didn’t do a great deal in comparison with, say, Colt or Alister MacKenzie, but he produced some excellent work and was respectful of the work of other golf course architects of the early 20th century.

Harry Colt was the bunker specialist - if you see his work at Sunningdale New you can immediately see why he has been so influential - the placement of bunkers (and other hazards), plus their style and shaping was inspirational. But he appreciated the shapes and contours of the original ground and used these as a starting point to create new features.

MacKenzie was bolder and more outspoken, you could say, in design terms - more brash, let’s say, with boldly contoured greens and big sweeping bunkers (often lace-edged). No surprise he was given the best sites to work on. There’s really only one contemporary golf course architect who can match them all - Tom Fazio. I can’t say I’ve played many of his courses, but Wild Dunes in Charleston in South Carolina was a memorable experience. Tom Doak’s pretty impressive as well.


Do you enjoy playing your own course designs or those of another?

I enjoy playing mine to see where there is room for improvement - I am always willing to learn something new and playing your own courses with friends, clients and family gives you good feedback on what might have been more appropriate, or on what could not have been improved upon!

Of course, I always enjoy playing courses designed by others because I like to see what my competitors are up to or to pick up some ideas on what to do or what not to do.

Playing golf on properly designed golf courses is always a pleasure. Playing golf on courses that have been just ‘built’ is always depressing, and there are so many of them, sadly.


Do you prefer links or parkland courses?

My favourite courses are links with a heathland character (I love the smell of heather on a hot summer day and the sound of the sea) - Southerness is a great example. I also like heathland courses with forest - like Sunningdale or West Hill.

I’m working on a site in Morocco just now which surprised me when I first went there because it has pine trees, heather (Erica arborea) and has enormous sandstone rock outcrops. In character it is like Morfontaine in France, which is classic heathland, except it is in North Africa and it overlooks the Mediterranean. Here, we are going to retain the “heathland” character to create a classically styled course in a most unusual setting.


Given a choice would you prefer fame or fortune?

I’d have to go for being a recognized and respected name in the industry - to have left behind me a varied and high quality portfolio of work. If fortune comes with it, then that’s great, but it’s not my reason for being in this career.

I’m in for the long haul - this is the job I decided I would do when I was 14 years old, irrespective of what I would earn. I’m doing well now, I’m lucky to be doing a job I enjoy. I have a full order book - I’ve just bought a new office and, together with my fabulous staff, Jackie Morson and Graham Parker, we look forward to an exciting future. I hope to be working as long as my Dad has - well into my 70’s.