[Brett Wiesley]

Just wondering how golf course architects feel when a course they designed closes?  Seems like a tremendous amount of time and energy spent, and the commission is likely not enough to compensate for the loss.  Also wondering if and how this impacts your choices with regard to future commissions?

[Adrian_Stiff]

Never happened to me I am 0/14....must be terrible feeling .... i hope it never happens...i try and avoid shite locations and crazy business plans.

[Adrian_Stiff]

double post/

[Tom_Doak]

Never happened to me I am 0/14....must be terrible feeling .... i hope it never happens...i try and avoid shite locations and crazy business plans.

If I avoided crazy business plans you would never have gotten to see a bunch of my best work ... any of the courses in Australia and New Zealand, for starters  

I've had 3 projects close out of 30, and there will likely be a couple more, eventually.  Emotionally, it's been different from one course to the next, because every project we've done has been a different experience for me and for my crew.  For Beechtree, I didn't get back to play it all that much, but it had a devoted following and a devoted group of employees, and I shared in their disappointment.  The Bay of Dreams closed before it really opened, so all we have are the memories of building the course -- some fun times down there.  Obviously, I spent a lot more time at High Pointe, and shaped all the greens myself, so that one is a much more personal loss -- but at least I got to know it well before it was gone.

As regards future commissions, it's not like we have 100 projects to choose from these days, and I doubt there are many architects turning them down because they've got questions about the business model.  [I'll give anyone honest feedback on their business model, if they ask, but it's their business.]  Personally, I'm starting to base my decisions on where I want to spend my time over the next 20 years.  I've done quite a few projects in places that I just don't get back to very much, and that takes some of the fun out of the equation.

[Brett Wiesley]

Tom, what you said makes a lot of sense.  In light of the scarce amount of projects out there, your decision to shy away from one b/c of unstable business plan, or just doesn't fit your eye possibly gives a young gun a shot a producing their break out course.

[Steve Lang]

   I wish they'd take down the friggin sign… or change it to Highpointe Cornfields

[Jeff_Brauer]

Old, mostly.  NLE is something that happens to old, usually dead architects.  At least, that's what I thought 20 years ago.

Had a few par 3 courses close from early in my career, and Centennial in Atlanta.  My designs survived in a multi course complex when the others closed at Wild Wing (SC) and Stallion Mountain (NV).  Not aware of any others, although I did a remodel in Hammond, IN for Killian and Nugent and in checking aerials, I see its now a Best Buy.

[Lester George]

It stings a bit.  Happened to me twice in 24 years. 

Lester

[Randy Thompson]

I wonder which living architect has the most kaput projects. I won´t air my guess but I will give you a hint in what is my guess, it´s a touring pro firm and the leader in that catagory and probably with many more to come in the near future!
I am still a virgin, without any biting the dust as of yet but its gotta hurt, when you put your heart and soul into all projects! I am constantly thinking how I could be better and one thought that crosses my mind constantly is quit thinking this is, "MY golf course"! Bigger budgets projects tailored to pro design firms créate holes so deep that it gets difficult to stop digging.

[Brett Wiesley]

There is one example in Northern Idaho, The Idaho Club, which is very close to NLE.  I played it this past Summer, and they are in deep trouble.  I met the owner on the driving range.  After I introduced myself, he just apologized about the course, and it's conditioning.  He then proceeded to pick his own range.  I think he may be part of the grounds crew as well.  While remote, and part of a larger housing plan, I think a big part of the blame lay with the designer.  I'm a low handicap, and for the first time since I was a kid emptied my bag of balls!  Almost every tee shot had a >220-240 carry.  Tons of water everywhere.  In this case I think the design and result started the slippery slope as much as anything else.  Who would want to play this again is what I kept thinking, yet alone throw down big bucks for a private club!

[Josh Stevens]

The extension question may be - how does an architect feel when another architect is brought in to "fix" it. 

[Jeff_Brauer]

Josh,

That happens to all of us, too.  Not sure of exact numbers, but I would bet its more common for a new owner of a struggling course to bring in someone they are familiar with, rather than the original architect.

As to how we feel, as a group, I think our feelings get bruised pretty easily, but we need to get over it, obviously, and move on to the next opportunity.

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