By Design - Spring 2019

24 | By Design FIVE TO FINISH I believe that the best versions of the Redan are those which are influenced by the element of wind A fter completing a degree in Landscape Architecture from Pennsylvania State University, Dave Heatwole, ASGCA, started his golf career by building courses in Colorado and Arizona for Wadsworth Golf Construction. In 1986, he began working at the Nicklaus Design office in Scottsdale, which led to the opportunity to design courses in Europe, Asia and North America. He set up his design firm, Heatwole Golf Design, in 2002 while working on several Nicklaus Design projects as a design consultant. How is your game? My game could use some attention. Between the excess rainfall in the northeast this past year and traveling around the region watching my sons run cross country, it was tough to fit many rounds of golf in my schedule. In fact, I think that I spent more time watching cross country events taking place on golf courses than I did playing on them! Which three people would make up your dream fourball? My dream fourball would begin with Jack Nicklaus, who provided me with my first opportunity in golf course design and mentored me in the profession for more than two decades. Along with being a fellow Pennsylvanian—and my mom’s favorite golfer—Arnold Palmer would definitely be included. Most importantly, I would include my father Bill, who introduced me to the game and always found time in his busy schedule to play golf with his son. What is your favorite hole in golf? Having lived and worked in Europe for several years when with Nicklaus Design, I had the opportunity to play many of the wonderful courses of Ireland and the British Isles, with North Berwick’s West Links at the top of the list. The par-three fifteenth Redan stands out as my favorite. The heavily defended green challenges golfers to carefully consider how to attack the hole, and with the addition of wind creates a variety of shots that may be required depending on conditions at the time. I believe that the best versions of the Redan are those which are influenced by the element of wind. If you could change or add one rule, what would it be? At this point in time I wouldn’t change or add any new rules to the game. With the recent wide-ranging changes to The Rules of Golf , I think we need time for golfers to adjust and become accustomed with the new rules without creating any additional confusion. The recent changes were long overdue, and I believe will greatly benefit the game through more common-sense application of the rules as well as increasing the speed of play. One area we as golf architects can contribute deals with advising ‘the committee’ in determining any changes to marking existing hazards as well as where to apply the new local rule regarding the designation of the ‘penalty area’ to areas not previously demarcated as hazards. What project are you currently working on? I am starting the planning for this year’s course improvements at Bonnie Briar Country Club in Larchmont, New York (pictured below). Originally built during the Golden Age of Westchester County golf, the course was refined by both A.W. Tillinghast and Devereux Emmet. Over the past 15 years, my work with the club included developing a master plan for major renovation and restoration while preserving the rich history of design by the preceding architects. Throughout the years, we have addressed almost every aspect of the course. • Dave Heatwole, ASGCA Photo: Dave Heatwole