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He then obtained a Masters degree
in landscape architecture from the
University of Minnesota before moving
into golf course design, under the
mentorship of John Fought, ASGCA.
Schoeder cites Fought among his
design influences, guiding him on
shot making and overall course
routing. He is also a keen student of
Golden Age architects, with books by
George Thomas, Robert Hunter and
Alistair Mackenzie having inspired his
work. He highlights Thomas’s words
in
Golf Architecture in America
: “The
strategy of the golf course is the soul
of the game. The spirit of golf is to
dare a hazard, and by negotiating it
reap a reward, while he who fears or
declines the issue of the carry, has a
longer or harder shot for his second;
yet the player who avoids the unwise
effort gains advantage over one who
tries for more than in him lies, or
who fails under the test.”
Risk and reward is key for Johnson too.
“One of the first things I learned in the
Cupp organization was his definition of
risk versus reward, with hazards placed
to draw play towards them or over
them, enticing the golfer to play as near
to them as they dare, to be rewarded
with an easier next shot. I believe this
is the foundation for great golf course
design, and fantastic holes like the 10th
at Rivera and 13th at Augusta National
are classic examples of this principle.”
Johnson cites Bob Cupp as his major
design influence. “By observing his
work ethic, artistic talent and brilliant
use of strategy and angles I gained a
solid understanding of all facets of golf
course design. [Bob Cupp passed away
shortly after this article was completed.
See p. 10 for more on his work.]
Johnson’s primary approach to
design is that golf courses should,
first and foremost, be fun to play.
“Golf courses that are too difficult,
with overabundant forced carries and
extreme demands, simply frustrate
the majority of golfers,” he says. “My
courses tend to offer more width, safer
avenues of play, risk versus reward
opportunities and stress strategy.”
Todd Schoeder, ASGCA Associate
Intense and
sensitive analysis
of the land dictates a style for each
individual course we design
The third hole at Lodestone Golf Club in Maryland, designed
by Todd Schoeder, ASGCA Associate, alongside Hale Irwin
Photo: Dale Horchner