Ernie Els, a four-time major champion, emerged victorious at the 2007 HSBC World Match Play Championship held at the prestigious Wentworth Club in Surrey, England. The Wentworth Club, known for its three 18-hole golf courses and abundance of amenities, sought to refresh its West Course, which had previously hosted championship golf. Els was chosen as the lead architect for the renovation project.
Wentworth Club is the home of the European Tour and has been hosting the DP World Tour, the flagship event, since the 1980s. Els had previously finished as runner-up in the tournament on three occasions. The West Course was originally designed by Harry Colt almost a century ago. Colt, a renowned golf course architect of the early 20th century, worked on around 300 golf courses, including the original design of Pine Valley, which is often regarded as the world’s top-ranked course.
Els was brought in to restore some of the original challenges created by Colt, as the advancements in golf technology had rendered them obsolete. One of the key aspects of the renovation was reconstructing all the greens to match the firm bounce and fast speed that professional golfers are accustomed to.
After ten years of dedicated work, Els completed the renovation of the West Course. Els expressed his honor and personal connection to the project, stating that he fell in love with the course even before playing it, having witnessed the World Match Play on television and admiring his golfing heroes.
Being a tour professional involved in golf course design has become less popular in recent times. In the past, professional golfers contributed their knowledge and expertise to golf course development projects, often accompanied by large real estate developments. However, due to the economic downturn in 2008 and the subsequent decline in new golf course construction, professional golfers’ involvement in design projects diminished.
Golf course design has now entered an era dominated by star architects like Tom Doak and Gil Hanse, who prioritize the purity and enjoyment of the game rather than creating excessively penal courses. However, in the early 20th century, the boom in golf course construction was driven by great golfers such as Willie Park Jr. and Donald Ross.
Nevertheless, professional golfers still play a significant role in course design, although their involvement has evolved from previous decades. Their input, as demonstrated by Els at Wentworth, is more collaborative rather than lending their names to developments as seen with Lee Trevino, Chi Chi Rodriguez, Don January, and Billy Casper in the 1970s and 1980s.
Pros’ extensive playing experience and understanding of the psychological aspects of the game are valuable assets to designers. Their insights help in creating strategic golf holes and considering how professionals would approach them. Collaboration with a team of architects and specialists ensures a comprehensive and well-rounded approach to design.
While many new golf courses are still being constructed, the focus has shifted towards renovations. Renovation projects often face budget constraints and the challenge of fixing preexisting mistakes without disrupting the already established club’s members.
Working with professional golfers provides architects with unique advantages that other partnerships may not offer. The Memorial Park, designed by Tom Doak with the assistance of Brooks Koepka, hosts the Houston Open on the PGA Tour. Koepka’s exceptional ball-striking abilities greatly aided in bringing Doak’s vision to life, as they only had to wait for a few groups to witness the course in action during the tournament.
In conclusion, while professional golfers’ involvement in golf course design has decreased in recent years, their expertise and insights are still highly valued. The collaboration between professional golfers and architects ensures a comprehensive and strategic approach to course design, guaranteeing an enjoyable experience for all golfers.
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