The primary challenge is the growing disparity in length between players. While it seems as though holes can not be made too long for the pros today, the player who is not able to generate club head speed does not receive nearly the same advantage of the technology. We used to design with two or three sets of markers and now it is five or six. The ideal length of a golf course today is 10-12 percent longer than the ideal length as described by architects 75 years ago. If something is not done to control the equipment, then we will indeed see ideal course lengths approaching 8,000 yards by 2080.

In general, I like to create courses that look and feel old - even though they are new. I like them to look and feel as though they have existed for many years. I am partial to the work of architects such as James Braid, Harry S. Colt, Tom Simpson, Alistair MacKenzie, and Albert Tillinghast.

At The Grove, the site had two levels, but most of the site lacked the natural landforms that would typically be found on classic English courses. We also had to respect the considerable archaeology that existed, making several adjustments as we went. Where natural golf landforms existed I utilized them in my design, but where they did not exist new landforms were created to blend with the existing ones, so as to appear to be natural to the local landscape.

At The Grove, it seemed only appropriate to design a course that would look and feel traditionally English. I visited several different English Style courses with the owner and shaper, so that we all were in sync with what we were striving to create - not only how the course would be designed and constructed, but also how the course would be maintained. We focused our efforts on giving The Grove its own unique identity, putting the emphasis on being better rather than just bigger.