Which Architect Would You Hire To.......................

[goldj]

Design a golf on “difficult” property?

A few years ago, two prominent participants on this board suggested that Tom  Fazio was the architect to use for designing a course on “difficult” property.  When I refer to “difficult” property, I’m thinking of significant elevation changes, lots of wetlands, lack of obvious continuity, and tight spaces,

Having recently played Hudson National, Mountaintop, Diamond Creek and The Ridge at Back Brook, all well regarded courses on what I would consider “difficult” property, I tend to agree.

Does anyone have a different view?

[Kalen Braley]

After seeing Sagebrush at the recent KP, I would nominate Rod Whitman.

While I don't think he had to deal with wetlands, he no doubt had a very severe piece of property and did an excellent job making it very playable, even for the mid to high capper like myself.  The golf course is fantastic and exceeded my expectations on several levels.

I should probably start a thread on Sagebrush and its playability....

[Garland Bayley]

It would seem Tom is good at extracting large sums of money for building on difficult sites. Is that what you are looking for?
It would seem that money is good for removing quirk, or in Melvyn's terms natural features. Is that what you are looking for?
Why couldn't any other architect build it as well for less money?

[Garland Bayley]

...
I should probably start a thread on Sagebrush and its playability....

Yes you should.
I know nag, nag, nag, ...

[George Freeman]

I should probably start a thread on Sagebrush and its playability....

Yes, please.

[Melvyn Morrow]

I refuse to answer just in case it might incriminate the successful architect.

One question, has the land already been purchased before looking for a designer?

Being known for looking after our money I expect I would be looking for an Architect that offers Cash Back as an incentive  – or am I just looking for someone who can think outside the box?

Melvyn

PS I wonder if any GCA.com Member would design a course for me – that is if I could afford them!!! 

[Mike Nuzzo]

Wouldn't a difficult site require more engineering?
Or are you referring to the fact that it is harder to hide cart paths on a difficult site?

Why do you think an architect should be typecast?

I can think of several I'd rather hire over Fazio on any site.

Cheers

[Joey Chase]

Wouldn't a difficult site require more engineering?
Or are you referring to the fact that it is harder to hide cart paths on a difficult site?

Why do you think an architect should be typecast?

I can think of several I'd rather hire over Fazio on any site.

Cheers

For instance?

[Wade Whitehead]

Lester George.

WW

[Mike Nuzzo]

Bonjour Joey
Have you seen pictures of our work?
Cheers

[Bill_McBride]

Bonjour Joey
Have you seen pictures of our work?
Cheers

Joey,

www.mnuzzo.com/projects

Wolf Point is "St Andrews in America" - Bill McBride

[Ian Larson]

Bonjour Joey
Have you seen pictures of our work?
Cheers

Joey,

www.mnuzzo.com/projects

Wolf Point is "St Andrews in America" - Bill McBride

 

[Kalen Braley]

Just to play Devils Advocate...

Was wolf point a "difficult" piece of property?  It looks mostly flat, but perhaps it had wetland issues?

[Brad Wilbur]

I refuse to answer just in case it might incriminate the successful architect.

One question, has the land already been purchased before looking for a designer?

Being known for looking after our money I expect I would be looking for an Architect that offers Cash Back as an incentive  – or am I just looking for someone who can think outside the box?

Melvyn

PS I wonder if any GCA.com Member would design a course for me – that is if I could afford them!!! 


Be careful where they put the cart paths!

[Melvyn Morrow]

Brad

My money, my course so any carts or cart paths and you would recognise the architect by his funny walk caused by a cart sideways up his backside – now that's what I call a true hazard.

Melvyn

[Dan Herrmann]

Gil Hanse.
I play a Hanse design every day that's definitely a difficult piece of land.  Very protected wetlands, hills, low lying areas, and he pulled it off very, very well IMHO.

[Tommy Williamsen]

I think Jim Engh has designed courses on some very severe land: Sanctuary, Lakota Canyon, and Pradera come to mind.

[Morgan Clawson]

You just described Ballyhack.

Lester George is your man.

[astavrides]

Just to play Devils Advocate...

Good name for companion course to Devil's Pulpit.  Or for any golf course for that matter.

[Joey Chase]

Bonjour Joey
Have you seen pictures of our work?
Cheers

 
Mike,
 No I am sorry to say I haven't, very funny response though!  Has you had many difficult sites to build on?  And if so, do you enjoy the challenge more than at an easy site, where you would be expected to create something special?  
Merci!
Joey