to be a golf architect ....which way????

[Mike_Young]

If one could become a golf architect tomorrow...would you choose to work for yourself on your own projects or become a designer for a signature on signature projects?

[Adam Clayman]

Working for yourself is a luxury of the priceless variety.

[Bill_McBride]

Just curious, which one is Jack?  I see photos of him in the field with a roll of plans.  Ditto for Ben.

I think a number of architects have studied, learned, apprenticed under well-known GCAs and gone on to individual success.  Not sure if that's possible working for a signature (read big name professional?).

For me?  I've always been a terrible employee and terrific entrepreneur.

[paul cowley]

Mike....why confine it to either /or?
Personally I think one can achieve a healthy balance between the two.

I enjoy a very productive and enjoyable relationship with Davis and Mark Love as part of their design team.

I also seem to keep an interesting roster of other projects as well...some golf related and some not.

....I think its healthy to maintain a variety of interests, least one's ideas and attitudes tend to 'gel' and get old.

[Mike_Sweeney]

For me?  I've always been a terrible employee and terrific entrepreneur.

Mike,

I am not sure how many good corporate citizens there are at GolfClubAtlas. Certainly Bill is not alone in being a terrible employee here if you asked some of my former bosses!

I would think the following conditions would have to be met in order for me to sign on with Nicklaus Design:

1. I will be allowed to remain in Manhattan so that I can live within 100 miles of Pine Valley and National on the off chance that I get a phone call to play said courses.

2. I get paid Big Bucks so that I can afford to live in Manhattan.

3. No housing projects, so as not to sully my growing reputation.

4. Nicklaus Design will acknowledge that my competing in the Philadelphia Catholic League Championships is roughly equivalent to 18 majors, and thus I can act as Spokesperson for Nicklaus Design.

5. No PGA or USGA projects.

6. Sandy soil projects only for me.

7. In the contracts with my developers, they will be required to have read at least 6 golf architecture books from Dead Guys or Geoff Shaq.

8. No course will be released to developer until Tommy approves it and Ran writes about it. If those approvals are not forthcoming, developer will send more money to go back in and fix.

9. As soon as I crack my first Top 100 list, the name changes to Nicklaus Sweeney Design.

[Jeff_Brauer]

Mike,

This brings to mind the young applicant that pleaded with me, "I want to become a golf course architect in the worst way...." and of course, I told him he had come to the right place!