DMK - Golf Architect of the Year?

[Rob Rigg]

GM gave out this "nod" for the first time in 2008.

Thoughts from the treehouse?

1) Is he the right choice?
2) Does it make sense for GM to pick an architect per year?

Props for DMK would be based on his work at Tetherow and the Castle Course (since Machrihanish Dunes is not open yet).

[TX Golf]

How often do courses have to undergo significant changes only months after they have been open? Is this at all a common?

[Scott Macpherson]

Rob,

If you read some of the older golf architecture books, some of the architects we now respect the most thought that the addition of some bunkers after the course had been in play for a year was the best way to complete the design.

However, if the changes made very soon after the opening concern greens or major shaping, in my opinion, it should be considered a black mark against the architect. The Castle course is currently 'closed for the winter'. It is widely rumoured that some changes will be made.

Should this happen at the CC, I might add, that it is not the first audacious design in Fife to have such a fate. The widely acclaimed Kingsbarns had several greens altered significantly after the first or second seasons.