Designer or Architect

[Mike Hendren]

Interesting in the letter posted elsewhere that Tom Doak signed under the title "Principal Designer."  Does "designer"  carry a different connotation than "architect?"

Mike

[Ally Mcintosh]

A 'Designer' is a slightly more limiting term than 'Architect'

[Tom_Doak]

It's really just semantics. 

Pete Dye always said that "architect" sounded like it might get him in more legal troubles, and I know that Jack Nicklaus asked us to use the label "designer" on our plans for Sebonack.  But "golf course architect" is not a licensed profession, so you can use either word you want.

[Mike Hendren]

Thanks for weighing in Tom.  My question stems from the fact that architects are required to certify (as to quality and amount) pay applications submitted to my development clients as a condition to construction loan disbursements.  This suggests an on-going, post-design, responsibility - perhaps the one Mr. Dye was trying to avoid.

Mike

[Tom_Doak]

Mike H:

Anytime there is a contractor involved, the golf course architect (or designer) is asked to certify pay applications, too.  We get around this sometimes but only because we don't have a golf course contractor involved, not because of how we label ourselves.