Ian Andrew Year in Review blog post

[Andrew Hardy]

Though we were just a small part of Ian's year. It was great to work with Ian this year. Hopefully more to come in future years.

http://ianandrewsgolfdesignblog.blogspot.ca/2014/12/2014-my-year-in-review-ian-andrew-golf.html

[Ronald Montesano]

Ditto to the "year like no other" comment. I journeyed into Ontario a fair bit over the spring and summer and was astonished to hear the tales of complete loss of greens. Not burned out, not damaged...completely and utterly gone. Word was that Hamilton lost some 2/3 of its 27 putting surfaces. In an odd twist of fate, many of the public courses were spared.

There are many reasons to head up to Ontario and two of them are on GCA: Ian Andrew and Jeremy Broom. Ian is reticent and Jeremy, even more so. As a result, their words are worth their weight in precious metal. If you're considering an exotic trip, you should consider heading to the Niagara-Toronto zone for golf. These guys are crazy about their golf and they have the courses to show you a great time.

[Randy Thompson]

Fantastic! Most of us are trying to keep our heads above wáter and keep the bills paid. Reminds me the of the book, somebody moved my cheese or something like that. I can´t speak for Ian but there is nothing better then taking a raw property from scratch and creating a new golf experience that hopefully will be around for years after were gone. But if we want to be around for when the market does comes back, we have to branch out. Postive attitudes also go a long way. In Chile wáter and the lack of, is becoming more and more an issue, so I am finding my cheese in lake construction for summer reserves in golf courses and more general consulting, a mix of maintenance and minor improvements in design concepts!

[Ian Andrew]

Randy,

It's been a tough business since 2008. I’m just lucky enough to have found a tiny little niche that keeps me working on projects that I enjoy. I've watched numerous friends pushed out of the business by the wholesale changes in golf architecture. The temporary/permanent end of Chinese golf expansion may do this all over again.

I think I was very lucky to graduate when I did, get the opportunities I got and have my interest in the preservation of history become a new trend when my own career began to blossom. Timing was everything and likely a key reason why I manage to keep busy.

Raw land seems like a distant memory at this point ... 
 

[Randy Thompson]

Ian,
My last raw was around 2009-2010 but what goes up..comes down and vica versa. 60 dollar oil prices seemed like a distant memory a year ago! Keep the faith but also realistic..You made an excellent point about China that I have not thought about! Anyways I think in 2015 i will get to play in the dirt again, I have done and gotten paid for a routing, walked another property and have another possibility that seems to be heading out of the early green stages, not counting my chickens before they hatch but not packing my bags either! Presently I am in Brazil consulting, saw some nice articles on the Olympic course and I am dying to see it. One of my travel options had me going through Rio on the way back to Santiago, Saturday and I checked to see if I could do a layover but it got complicated and I hate not being home on Sunday! Take care and good luck!

[Ed Homsey]

Great to hear about Ian's year.  I believe that there are even greater things in store for Ian.  Have had a bit of experience with Ian, at work, and am forever grateful for those opportunities, and all that they taught me about the thought processes of a wonderful designer of golf courses out-in-the-field.  Has also shown me a lot about the integrity required of architects commissioned to do restoration work on classic courses.  I look forward to 2015 and other work that I hope Ian is commissioned to do on Travis courses.  I'm well aware of his work on courses of other designers, but I'm particularly interested in his Travis course work.

All the Best in 2015, Ian!!

[Ian Andrew]

Kelly,

Thanks for the nice comments ... and sorry about affecting your sleep.

I can still remember in the middle of the summer in 2009 realizing I had only billed $1,000. for the year ... it will happen again.
The business cycles in and out ...

[Frank M]

Does this mean the blog is back up?

[Jason Way]

Congrats on the prosperous year Ian.  Looking forward to seeing your handiwork in NY on my trips out there to explore Golden Age golf nirvana.

I assume that most architects are happiest when expressing themselves through original work on great land.  It seems though that restoration/renovation work on iconic old courses would also be exciting in its own right.  As if, through research, design, and work on the ground, you are collaborating with the original architect. 

Any truth to that perspective?

[Ian Andrew]

Ian,

Does this mean the blog is back up? At least periodically? I'd even settle for once a month — it's better than nothing.

The Year in Review will continue with a third instalment - but I expect that will be the end.
I'm currently writing "The Golf Architecture Review"
Turns out this will be be really long, but I'm having fun writing it.

The Capilano debate made me think about opening up the blog again.
I'm certainly considering it after writing this week and enjoying it.

[Ian Andrew]

I assume that most architects are happiest when expressing themselves through original work on great land.  It seems though that restoration/renovation work on iconic old courses would also be exciting in its own right.  As if, through research, design, and work on the ground, you are collaborating with the original architect.  Any truth to that perspective?

Jason,

For me, there's a particular joy in bringing a great piece of architecture back for others to study or enjoy playing. I don't agree with adage that everything can be improved upon because occasionally the spaces between the notes are as important as the notes themselves. I think there are particular works that should be preserved with any "perceived" imperfections. I've seen too many "improvements" undermine the rhythm or unique charms that made something engaging.

Whereas new course design is the chance to completely bear your soul. You can put everything you believe on the line. I have a clear philosophy on what I believe will make an engaging golf experience - big Max Behr fan - and I bring those principals to my design work. It's a much bigger rush to have the opportunity to paint a new canvas for a change, but also a little frightening to show the work for the first time. I believe you must take chances and get out of the box to find greatness in the work and yourself.

[Jason Way]

For me, there's a particular joy in bringing a great piece of architecture back for others to study or enjoy playing. I don't agree with adage that everything can be improved upon because occasionally the spaces between the notes are as important as the notes themselves. I think there are particular works that should be preserved with any "perceived" imperfections. I've seen too many "improvements" undermine the rhythm or unique charms that made something engaging.

Whereas new course design is the chance to completely bear your soul. You can put everything you believe on the line. I have a clear philosophy on what I believe will make an engaging golf experience - big Max Behr fan - and I bring those principals to my design work. It's a much bigger rush to have the opportunity to paint a new canvas for a change, but also a little frightening to show the work for the first time. I believe you must take chances and get out of the box to find greatness in the work and yourself.

Love it.  Thanks for sharing.