 |
The Golf Course Designer |
|
|
|
Colin
grew up playing golf at Royal Troon, Scotland,
one of the classic links courses on the rota of
the British Open Championship. Not far from the
Montgomerie home there were many other great links
courses, such as Prestwick, Turnberry, St Andrews,
Muirfield, and Carnoustie. These were just a few
of the great Scottish courses on which Colin learned
his golf as a child.
While Colin Montgomerie Design is on the cutting
edge of new design concepts and technology, Colin’s
own Scottish roots and his appreciation of the
traditions of the game have resulted in his design
company embracing a more traditional orientation,
in terms of the basic design principles that have
stood the test of time. Colin further honed his
experience on courses around the world when
playing and practising in America and as a student
at the Houston Baptist University. Today, Colin
is not only one of the world’s leading golfers,
but he is also very well respected in the field
of golf course design, borrowing heavily on his
lifetime on the links and his vast experience
of playing the world’s greatest courses.
Montgomerie particularly believes in working with
the natural contours of the land and ensuring
that, as with the great Scottish designs, nature
is not tampered with unnecessarily. Nevertheless,
he is keen to draw on certain characteristics
from other courses such as:
- Bunkering at Royal Melbourne: the use of bunkering
as a genuine hazard.
- Fairway design from Pine Valley: fairways that
are “fair”, rough that is “rough”.
- Undiluted beauty of Augusta: the importance of
maintenance.
- Character and toughness of Turnberry and Troon:
playability in variable weather.
- Unspoiled tradition of St. Andrews: the
value of unique green shaping.
Colin wants to use natural streams and drainage,
and to put water in front of the greens as
a challenge, not just for effect. Bunkers
and water hazards should always be capable
of costing a player a half-shot penalty, whether
by the fairway or the green.Accordingly, Colin
believes strongly in variety and balance in
course design, as well as in playability for
all golfers so that a Monty design will be
exciting, but above all, fair.
“Golf should always be a challenge, and a golfer, whether amateur or professional, must be made to achieve every round played. Nevertheless, above all else, golf should be enjoyable, and, whether in someone’s leisure time or business time, they should leave the course challenged, but satisfied - a total experience”. Colin Montgomerie. |
|
|
|
|
