I can see Tom D and his crew are picking the de la creme of projects which means he/they can devote more time to it rather than rely on others who are not familiar with their design approach/model.
Assuming Tom D is Tom Doak, I would argue that his commitment to hands-on construction has played a big part in establishing his reputation. The quality of the resulting product has led to great new opportunities, but he has always devoted significant time to the places where he works. It's not as if that's something new.
I’ll make a couple of additions:
1. The quality of the raw project / site is not directly connected to the ability to spend time on the project / site. So not quite sure why Ben makes that point. The quality of the finished product is connected. So I can agree there.
2. Particularly with links work, significant time should also be spent on the course and with the members before a design solution is put on the table (not just during construction). It’s very easy to make a couple of visits and come up with a plan, far more difficult to really understand the subtleties of the golf course and how it plays for all members.
Ally,
1. The point Im trying to make is if not on site often and part of the decision making process if there are issues that needed to be resolved asap - surely part of design control and influence is lost. Not every project is the same and how they are carried out are different - depending on what type of construction approach/contracts are taken by the client/club.
Certain golf course contractors have different interpretations of the proposed design some tend to do what they know rather than do something different that they don't normally do that is proposed by the architect. For example Holes 8 and 10 at Luffenham were done 'by Hawtree' however the construction was done by a well known UK golf course contractor in which the greens were nothing like the other greens and more like something that the contractor does regularly on other courses as well - greens surrounded by repetitive mounding
[size=78%]. Not sure how often Hawtree was on site. [/size]Tom D has trusted lieutenants on site like Angela and Clyde who keep him up to date on Project X and Cabot Highlands. Not sure what it is like with Tom Mackenzie and Martin Ebert or other Architects. I know Robin was on site quite regularly with JCB which was project managed and sub contracted out which gave it more of an unique look rather than a uniformed look if left to contractors.
2. Agree with this 100% its really important to get most of the design developed and agreed with client/members prior to commencing construction. Regarding the last point not only the golf course/site conditions but the weather conditions ie prevailing wind and location of sun at certain times of the day.
John
It takes years to establish trust and reputation - Tom D has built this up since the early 1980s and has taken a number of people under his wing over time - some have flown the nest and established on their own and younger ones come through and gain trust from the 'master' it is like a conveyor belt. Tom's influence will continue over the next few decades through his lieutenants.