Who said this, when, and about where? (clues removed...)
"There are times when you look round here and expect to see the sea. You can’t call it a links, of course, but it plays like a links and has all the characteristics of a links. In designing this course, I attempted to go back to a more traditional style."
Built on an open piece of parkland, the golfer has drawn on the philosophy which informs the best seaside courses around the British Isles. "There wasn’t one particular links which was an inspiration, but many seaside courses were in my mind," said the golfer yesterday. "The bunkers are tricky and offer a half-shot penalty. You won’t need a wedge to get out, but you might have to play a 9-iron.
"It’s my favourite of all the courses I’ve designed around the world so far and I think it’s the best. Usually, I would be pretty nervous about the prospect of having a course judged by my peers. But this golf course is special enough to overcome my natural sense of trepidation."
A test of brain power as much as shot-making - the champion on Sunday will need to manage his game shrewdly - he dismisses speculation that some will complain he’s created a monster.
"No, I don't think it’s a monster, but, yes, it can be scary. Off the back tees, it measures more than 7,300 yards, but I wouldn’t expect us to be playing from them this week.
"As a player as well as an architect, of course, you design holes which you can imagine yourself playing well. After all, it would be pretty odd to design a hole where you felt ‘Mmm, I’ve no idea how to play this one.’
"As a youngster, I was exposed to many of the greatest links and my design style is heavily influenced by those classics. There’s a strategic element about many of the holes. The site is relatively open with beautiful mature trees surrounding the perimeter of the estate. We had a lot of space to fill.
"True, there are plenty of bunkers. Many of the traps are deep, imposing and unforgiving. When I looked at great courses around the world - Royal Melbourne, Troon, Turnberry - I tried to work out what was so good about them. One thing that sprang to mind was bunkering. They are hazards and work with the prevailing wind. Few holes are straight up and down. The wind tends to blow across, which brings the bunkering into play. This is the kind of course, I feel, where the best players will always come out on top."
FBD