Could you build a course with a different architect for each hole?

[Jeff Schley]

Talk about too many cooks in the kitchen!  Hell no is my first thought. if GCA is an art, why not congregate the best of the living archies for a tribute course with each getting equal due. Analogy I'd use is the Ice Hotel, where each year they invite artists to design one suite room for a theme. Collectively it is the Ice Hotel, but each room has it's unique flare.
Too complex? Maybe 9 with each doing one on each 9? Not sure if it has been discussed even, much less attempted. The Imitation courses is probably the closest we could get.

[Peter Flory]

If there was a master architect joining it all together, I think it is possible.  The Lido had 4 architects + the template holes, which you could imagine being different architects.  The overall style just needs to be somewhat cohesive. 

[Tommy Williamsen]

If I remember correctly, Dooks did something like that maybe 20 years ago or more. Members built and designed one hole each.

[Adam Lawrence]

This was Walter Tarrant's original idea for St. George's Hill -- each of eighteen founding members would get to design one hole. Not clear who was to do the routing. Thankfully Charles Ambrose talked him out of it and introduced him to Colt.

Generally speaking: obviously the routing has to be done by one person. You can't route a golf course by committee. Once the routing is in place, the hole details could be done by different people, why not? I don't think it would be very good, but it could be done if you insisted on it.

[Michael Whitaker]

We have a par 3 course in Greenville, SC that was originally 18 holes, each designed by a different architect. Pete Dye, Rees Jones, Arnold Palmer, Bob Cupp, and Tom Fazio all had holes represented, along with Bob Cupp, Dan Maples, Michael Hurdzen and even favorite son Jay Haas.


Jeff Laurance has reworked the course and it is now 12 holes, with all but one an original. Jeff has created one new hole, so 12 archies are now represented.


It’s fun!

[Jeff Schley]

We have a par 3 course in Greenville, SC that was originally 18 holes, each designed by a different architect. Pete Dye, Rees Jones, Arnold Palmer, Bob Cupp, and Tom Fazio all had holes represented, along with Bob Cupp, Dan Maples, Michael Hurdzen and even favorite son Jay Haas.


Jeff Laurance has reworked the course and it is now 12 holes, with all but one an original. Jeff has created one new hole, so 12 archies are now represented.


It’s fun!

That is special and noteworthy. What is the name?

[Tom Bacsanyi]

As mentioned, who decides on the routing? An 18 architect committee? I would assume that would be very tough.

[Ken Moum]

Ron Whitten told me he once had a plan to redo the muni in Topeka with a concept like that.


But apparently he couldn't get the city to agree.

[Tony Dear]

Didn't Mike DeVries do that at Pilgrim's Run? It might not have been 18 different architects but something like six (employees of the owner) doing three holes each, with Mike blending it all in at the end.
That scenario can work obviously if you have someone like Mike DeVries overseeing it and making it as harmonious as possible. But I think 18 different architects each building a hole in their own style wouldn't end well. Which architects would consider the flow of the round as a whole?

[Tim Martin]

The routing would be the sticking point as evidenced by many of the posts so far. It seems that the coveted holes would be the par fours although each guy would have to play the hand he was dealt with some type of lottery system to decide who designs what.

[Joe Zucker]

Didn't Mike DeVries do that at Pilgrim's Run? It might not have been 18 different architects but something like six (employees of the owner) doing three holes each, with Mike blending it all in at the end.

I think this is right.  In the latest NoLayingUp video series, they played several of his courses around Grand Rapids and interviewed Mike.  He talked a bit about the process and how guys were "trading" holes with one another.  Devries covers it at the 6:30 mark.


https://nolayingup.com/videos/tourist-sauce/michigan/tourist-sauce-michigan-episode-3-grand-rapids

[Tony Dear]

I think this is right.  In the latest NoLayingUp video series, they played several of his courses around Grand Rapids and interviewed Mike.  He talked a bit about the process and how guys were "trading" holes with one another.  Devries covers it at the 6:30 mark.


https://nolayingup.com/videos/tourist-sauce/michigan/tourist-sauce-michigan-episode-3-grand-rapids



Cool. I didn't see that one. Thanks for the link, will have to make time to see the rest of it. Would love to know the process and how much collaboration there was between 'the six', Shoemaker and DeVries.

[Tony Dear]

Didn't Mike DeVries do that at Pilgrim's Run? It might not have been 18 different architects but something like six (employees of the owner) doing three holes each, with Mike blending it all in at the end.

I think this is right.  In the latest NoLayingUp video series, they played several of his courses around Grand Rapids and interviewed Mike.  He talked a bit about the process and how guys were "trading" holes with one another.  Devries covers it at the 6:30 mark.


https://nolayingup.com/videos/tourist-sauce/michigan/tourist-sauce-michigan-episode-3-grand-rapids

Cool, I didn't see that one. Will have to make time to watch the rest of it. Would love to know how much collaboration there was between 'the six', Shoemaker and DeVries. 

[Steve_ Shaffer]

The Architects Club in Phillipsburg, NJ   plays homage to the Golden Age Architects as interpreted by Ron Whitten and Stephen Kay:


https://www.thearchitectsclub.com/the-architects


https://www.thearchitectsclub.com/course-details


The course opened in 2001 and is now mannaged by Troon. It has been mentioned here many times.

[Mark_Fine]

It might have already been said, but just think of all the architects who were involved with the design of Pine Valley. 


One architect for each hole might be a different matter but collaboration is a great way to design/renovate/restore/refine golf courses. 

[Paul Jones]

I remember when I played Old Head 15 years ago, the starter rattled off quite a few architects that worked together to build the course.

[Bruce Katona]

BK would love to do a wedge par 3 - a wedge shot for all players from all tees.


Lots of teeing ground for the divots and maybe something really fun & diabolical depending on the terrain of the hole corridor.

[archie_struthers]

 


Man what a mess that could be. Better than a bunch of lawyers working together I guess


Who's in charge of the routing ? Many collaborate as it is but have to have a chief to make the final process work.




I don't think so   

[Michael Whitaker]

We have a par 3 course in Greenville, SC that was originally 18 holes, each designed by a different architect. Pete Dye, Rees Jones, Arnold Palmer, Bob Cupp, and Tom Fazio all had holes represented, along with Bob Cupp, Dan Maples, Michael Hurdzen and even favorite son Jay Haas.


Jeff Laurance has reworked the course and it is now 12 holes, with all but one an original. Jeff has created one new hole, so 12 archies are now represented.


It’s fun!

That is special and noteworthy. What is the name?

3’s Golf & Grill https://www.3s.golf/golf_course-mobile.php

[Tom_Doak]

I remember when I played Old Head 15 years ago, the starter rattled off quite a few architects that worked together to build the course.

Very misleading.  They should have said they offered the job to several designers, got their ideas, and then hired somebody else to build it.  Not my idea of working together!

[Kalen Braley]

Still seems like it'd have to follow the kitchen concept.

Sure you can have Sous Chefs, Line Chefs, Pastry Chefs, Meats chefs, and even a Kitchen Manager....but there is no getting around the need to have 1 Head Chef to resolve disputes, make final decisions on assignments, etc.