Top golf architect enlisted to design course on Jura

[Steve Lapper]

It seems odd to me that he chose Bob Harrison, who Tom points out is not in the top 12 or top whatever, when such great architects are easily at his disposal.

Alex

From what i have heard, Doak, Hanse and Coore are all fairly busy.  They are probably the only architects in the world who could be considered close to 'great' or clearly better than Harrison.

 
  I'd certainly put Jim Urbina up on that list and add the likes of David Mclay Kidd to the discussion. That said, I've played Ellerston and Moonah Links and think highly of the Bob Harrison work I've seen. What is most likely in play here is the relationship factor. Greg, being an Aussie, was most likely intrigued by having a fellow countryman gain the opportunity to work on the Isle. It's his private domain and as such, he's more than entitled to give the job to whomever he sees fit. The rest of us should pipe down and wait to see whatever the final product looks like.

Having met Greg several times, I'm sure he'll grant access to those who arrive with an open mind, thoughtful consideration, and a passionate respect for his privacy.

[Chris Kane]

From what i have heard, Doak, Hanse and Coore are all fairly busy.  They are probably the only architects in the world who could be considered close to 'great' or clearly better than Harrison.

The only objective way to measure Bob Harrison against those architects is in locations where they've gone head-to-head. On the Mornington Peninsula, Harrison built The National (Moonah), while Doak built St Andrews Beach. According to Australian Golf Digest (2012), the Moonah is the 7th best course in Australia, and St Andrews Beach is 28th. Greg Coffey made the right decision.

[Mark_F]

Most people can read his work and make their mind up as to whether his opinion is worth listening to, but it is not  a stretch to suggest his work has earned him a good reputation in the golf industry, is it?  

David,

That depends - his Planet Golf Top 100 is an extraordinarily bizarre list. 

I would have thought it was a stretch that just because someone writes a few golf books it somehow qualifies them to ascertain for a developer whether a particular designer is more qualified than another - especially since he started out as a website developer.   Surely for GGG to be reputable, they would have had to convince a developer intent on going with designer 1 for their project that designer 7 would deliver a better result?

[Ronald Montesano]

Oliver lines up with Sean Arble quite well on the individuality point. This from his website:

Ultimately, the only truly accurate rankings are an individual’s own, so while the Planet Golf World 100 list is unlikely to meet with universal agreement, it has been published to provide an insight into the personal preferences of author Darius Oliver.

[Mark_F]

Oliver lines up with Sean Arble quite well on the individuality point. This from his website:

Ultimately, the only truly accurate rankings are an individual’s own, so while the Planet Golf World 100 list is unlikely to meet with universal agreement, it has been published to provide an insight into the personal preferences of author Darius Oliver.

Ronald,

That sentence is at odds with these two, dontcha think?

"After studying more than 1,200 of the world’s finest courses, Oliver is well qualified both to comment on ranking lists and to offer up an alternative view on what are the great courses in golf. We hope, therefore, that you view his list below as both carefully considered and credible..."

[Brian_Ewen]

http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/jura-golf-course-plan-put-on-hold.20499353

Jura golf course plan put on hold
Alison Campsie
Senior News Reporter
Saturday 16 March 2013
PLANS to create a golf course on the Hebridean isle of Jura for a millionaire estate owner have been bunkered.

Australian financier Greg Coffey announced his intention to build the 18-hole course for his own private enjoyment after buying the Ardfin Estate in autumn 2012.

Plans were due to have been lodged with Argyll and Bute council in January after world-renowned golf architect Bob Harrison visited the island and mapped out his proposals with locals. But it has been confirmed the golf course is now on hold.

John Potts, chairman of the Jura Development Trust, said the loss of the predicted four or five full-time positions to be created by the golf course was of regret.

He said: "Quite a lot of people were fairly neutral, but for a few people there is a wilderness element to Jura and the headline (of a golf course) doesn't fit with that, no matter how well it's landscaped.

"It would have provided some employment and we never really want to turn that away – we can't afford to, so that is a loss."

The course was due to become part of the 14,000-acre Ardfin Estate, with Mr Harrison, who specialises in courses in Australasia and Asia, describing the site as the "most beautiful I have ever seen in my time in golf".

Announcing his plans last summer, Mr Harrison said: "Nothing I've seen anywhere in the world competes with the sheer beauty of the Jura site.

"I love Scotland in general and, by a pleasant coincidence, had been a devoted fan of the Machrie Golf Course on nearby Islay for many years. Jura has become my favourite place on earth."

The Ardfin course was to be routed in two loops with spectacular sea views and an emphasis on a design that would cause minimal disturbance to the coastal landscape. Mr Harrison had aimed to preserve the burns and large areas of particularly sensitive land, such as wetlands.

The aim was to create holes as memorable as the 14th at St Andrews and the 13th at North Berwick.

Willie MacDonald, estate manager at Ardfin, said the early informal plans had been lodged with Argyll and Bute Council, but no official proposal had been made. He added: "There is no reason why a course couldn't go ahead."

Given the estate sits in a national scenic area, Scottish Natural Heritage has been briefed on the original proposals by Mr Harrison.

A spokesman for Scottish Natural Heritage said: "We made it clear to the estate at the outset we didn't see any problem with their proposals. In fact, we were impressed with some of the work they have done to ensure the golf course respects the special qualities of the national scenicarea. We've offered to meet the estate again to discuss the proposals, and any issues they may have, but they haven't got back to us."

The Herald was unable to reach Mr Harrison.

[David_Tepper]

"The Herald was unable to reach Mr Harrison."

Sounds like the person they really should be trying to reach is Greg Coffey. Maybe he has been short this bull market for the past couple of years and is feeling the pain.

[Clyde Johnson]

Does anybody know how/if this is progressing?

[Jon Wiggett]

Clyde,

I believe it is still on hold though I am not certain.

Jon

[Clyde Johnson]

Thanks Jon. There are a couple of Bob Harrison Golf "tweets" kicking around from early December that suggest the 10th green (and possibly more?) have at least been roughed in!

[Robin_Hiseman]

It is in construction now. SOL Golf are the contractors.

[Ally Mcintosh]

Bob Harrison's page suggests construction began in July 2014:

http://www.harrisongolf.com.au/ardfin-estate-golf-course

[Adam Lawrence]

They're hard at work. I hope to visit in the spring.

[Steve Okula]

I don't think I've ever seen any of Bob Harrison's finished courses, but in the '90's we were both in the Philippines working for the same development company, though on separate projects.  I spent some time with Bob, including a round of golf. Nice guy. Play with him if you get a chance.