Golf Architecture

The Vaquero Club

How did Andrew Green transform the Vaquero Club’s golf course to make it exciting?

By: 2023. 11. 16.

The Vaquero Club is an exclusive private club located in the affluent Westlake community on former ranch land west of the DFW airport. Established in 2001, Vaquero Club occupies 525 acres of what was once the Hunt brothers’…

Pangaea Golf Architecture founders

What is the birth story of Pangaea Golf Architecture?

By: 2023. 11. 13.

The Pangaea Golf Architecture is a strategic partnership between Jeffrey Danner and Stuart Rennie, who met while studying on the European Institute of Golf Course Architects' (EIGCA) diploma course in 2007, and have been close friends ever since.…

Aphrodite Hills Capillary Bunkers in progress

What is the reason why Aphrodite Hills is testing the Capillary Bunkers system?

By: 2023. 10. 18.

It has come to my attention that Aphrodite Hills is currently undergoing a trial of the Capillary Bunkers system. This trial has been initiated with the objective of identifying an alternative solution to reduce the expenses incurred in…

Te Arai Links North Course_Hole 2_Ricky Robinson

What aspects did Tom Doak focus on while designing the North Course at Te Arai Links?

By: 2023. 09. 29.

Te Arai Links' Managing Director, Jim Rohrstaff, proudly announced in a February interview for Golf Business Monitor that Tom Doak had been commissioned to design the North Course. Tom Doak's new masterpiece will open for play on October…

Bull's Bridge Golf Club Hole 16 under construction

What do you think Bull’s Bridge Golf Club absolutely needs to improve?

By: 2023. 09. 08.

To enhance the quality of its services, the Bull's Bridge Golf Club has taken the first step towards its very first renovation project since its establishment in 2004. McDonald and Sons is the construction contractor. The Bull’s Bridge…

European Golf Design Climate Leader sustainability

European Golf Design became the 1st Sustainable Golf Climate Leader. Why it matters?

By: 2023. 08. 29.

It is perhaps not an exaggeration to say that anyone who takes themselves seriously will not develop a golf club, golf resort, or golf course without sustainability as a top priority in 2023 and the coming years. For…

La Zalageta CEO Jacobo Cestino & Tom Doak

What kind of golf course should Tom Doak design for La Zagaleta to impress golfers?

By: 2023. 08. 24.

Luxury in 2023 is more about aspiration, connection to life events, a moment in time, or lifestyle. Aspirations are diversifying, and golf clubs/resorts must attract new customers while catering to the existing customer base. Bain says the global…

Cabot Highlands hole 14 from behind green by Credit Darren Chisholm

When will the Tom Doak-designed golf course in Cabot Highlands be ready?

By: 2023. 08. 02.

Have you been keeping up with Castle Stuart Golf Links (since 2009) lately? The Cabot Collection acquired this fantastic golf club in Inverness, Scotland, in 2022 and added it to its impressive collection. One of the first actions…

Faldo Design GEO Foundation partnership

What can the future collaboration between Faldo Design and GEO Foundation lead to?

By: 2023. 06. 21.

In fact, sustainability should be a fundamental consideration when somebody is considering developing a new golf course or a golf club. It should be an elementary requirement and expectation for golf architects and golf course design companies. Golf…

Tumblebrook Golf Course drawing

How could the Donald Ross-designed Tumblebrook Golf Course return to its former glory?

By: 2023. 05. 12.

I always get very excited when I hear about a golf course designed by a famous golf course designer of the past (e.g. A.W. Tillinghast, Donald Ross, Harry Colt, James Braid, Charles Blair Macdonald, etc.) being renovated. Such…

Donald Trump Trump International Scotland May 1st 2023

Where would be worth it for Donald Trump to build a new golf course in Scotland?

By: 2023. 05. 02.

I never thought I would ever mention Donald Trump, the 45th President of the United States, in the Golf Business Monitor. The reason for this is that I don't want to talk about politics, but only about the…

Sotogrande La Reserva Clubhouse

What can Sotogrande be proud of in its 60-year history?

By: 2023. 04. 21.

Much has been written and said - including me - about Sotogrande during its 60 years of existence. Here I summarize what they can be really proud of and what their competitors can learn from. We will see…

OLEADA Pacific Living & Golf Ernie Els designed golf course

What can make the new Oleada Pacific Living & Golf unmissable?

By: 2023. 04. 20.

It is unbelievable that in the first three months of the year, the traffic at Los Cabos Airport increased by almost 23% (22.8%). And that's just international traffic. It seems like the destination has quickly recovered post covid…

Reynolds Lake Oconee_Bluff 9.1 Oar

How Tom Fazio triples the golf experience in Reynolds Lake Oconee?

By: 2023. 04. 12.

Last year I was asked to show examples of unique golf course designs. This is how I mentioned among the others the Tom Doak-designed The Loop (Forest Dunes), and the 6-6-6 golf course design of the Nikanti Golf…

Cape Kidnappers Aerial fog resized

How will Cape Kidnappers renew itself for its 20th birthday?

By: 2023. 04. 06.

The Cape Kidnappers Resort (New Zealand) was launched in 2004. The American developer Julian Robertson (Kauri Cliffs' owner too) asked Tom Doak to design a golf course for the resort. This is how the 18-hole, par-71, 7,147 yards (6,569 meters) long…

Ayla Golf Club bunker Capillary Bunker

How does the Ayla Golf Club save its deep and steep bunkers?

By: 2023. 03. 17.

Sand replacement can be taxing on golf clubs. You get sands that are contaminated, and they have to replace them. Because of this, many golf clubs are considering reducing the number of bunkers on their golf courses. Are…

Aloha Golf Club golf course

How necessary is the rebuilding of greens at Aloha Golf Club?

By: 2023. 03. 07.

How many of you know that the golf course at Aloha Golf Club was designed by Javier Arana? Aloha Golf Club - Par 72, 6,293m (6,882 yards) - has hosted the PGA Tour 3 times between 2007 and…

Te Arai Links _Ricky_Robinson_resized

Guide to how to fall in love with Te Arai Links

By: 2023. 02. 21.

Mike Keiser's book - The Nature of the Game - was very instructive for me. Perhaps it was this book that convinced me how exciting and beautiful the links courses are and why minimalist golf course architecture is…

Pinehurst Resort 10th golf course by Tom Doak

How memorable will be the new Tom Doak-designed golf course at Pinehurst Resort?

By: 2023. 01. 05.

Probably one of the first golf architecture books I read was Tom Doak's The Anatomy of a Golf Course. I've followed his work since (e.g., The Loop at Forest Dunes, Barnbougle Dunes (Tasmania), Cape Kidnappers, Streamsong, Tara Iti…

Terras da Comporta Rodrigo Ulrich David McLay Kidd

How Terras da Comporta is preparing for the grand opening in 2023?

By: 2022. 12. 15.

I got very excited by the news that Terras da Comporta (Portugal), the first David McLay-Kidd-designed golf course in mainland Europe, will open next spring. Therefore, I quickly contacted Rodrigo Ulrich - Golf Director, Terras da Comporta, Vanguard…