By Design - Winter 2018

13 and problems associated with each project, and then develop the best course of action. For me this process is interesting and keeps you thinking.” So most course design has some degree of constraint, meaning the golf course architect has to balance creative flair with the practicality required by various factors associated with the given project. But for most architects, there have been occasions where compromise is minimized. “I have had numerous opportunities where the discussions of what I wanted were met with little resistance from ownership,” says Brian Curley, ASGCA. Curley’s recent work includes the two new courses that form part of the FLC Quang Binh development on the coast of the East Vietnam Sea. “My current efforts in Vietnam have been largely left to our own desires, with little input from ownership. “The overall concepts have not been a big issue as I have sold the idea of trying to be unique as much as possible. The cost associated with building on sandy sites is not an issue as well. It is rare that the main decision maker is even seen on the construction site and, if so, it lasts a very brief time.” ASGCA Past President Jeffrey Brauer says: “The best clients are the ones where you get some broad direction to inform your design—for example, ‘it’s a resort, don’t make it too hard,’ or ‘it’s a muni, we need to keep maintenance reasonable’—and they let you handle most of the details. “My best-received courses have come with about 95 percent freedom—from owner, if not from regulatory bodies. Looking back on a 34-year long career and over 60 major projects, I have generally been blessed that most fall under that category. Of course, it may be because I instinctively shied away from country club renovations, where it was hard to please over 300 bosses who are golf design experts in their own right. In my public work, there are very few project overseers from the county, state or city that feel expert enough to question too much. We usually submit a routing, then features plan, and get a review, but changes are pretty rare. “My total redo of Superior National in Lutsen, Minnesota, was a case of no design limitations from the client, other than a fairly strict county budget. That, and substantial subsurface rock, minimized any rerouting we wanted to do. “Overall, I would say the budget is the biggest limiting factor in most John Fought, ASGCA, was told 'do what you think is best' when designing the South course at The Gallery Golf Club in Arizona Photo: Lonna Tucker