Period Golf Course Design and the Need for Preservation

On November 8, 1999 Richard was a featured lecturer at the Restoration & Renovation Conference in Charleston, South Carolina.  His presentation was entitled Period Golf Course Design and the Need for Preservation.  The thesis was that golf course architecture will only sustain a niche in the design world by preserving and restoring great golf courses and the land on which they lay. Golf courses begin with preservation of a piece of property and will end without preservation of the great works of the past.  These layouts contribute to the future success of golf by providing tremendous variety in golf course design today, both socially and economically.  Through proper design, golf course replication, and preservation, the success of golf and golf course design will extend through the twenty-first century.  

Richard reviewed a variety of topics including the basics of design, a brief history of golf course architecture, a discussion about golf course replication, and thoughts on golf course restoration.  All these subjects directly affect the need for golf course preservation and Richard outlined how that was possible.  

For Richard, preservation of the existing land is a primary goal of all designers when initially laying out a golf course.  The basis for proper golf course design is the full utilization of the character of a piece of property, preserving and incorporating all the features of the land.  Preservation of the original character of the land is vital to the success of all golf course design. Steps that are taken to preserve the character of a site in golf course design are the site selection and the actual routing of the golf course.

Period golf courses provide golfers with an historical variety of design which should be preserved.  Golf course replication is a form of preservation which has been practiced from the beginning to allow golfers the opportunity to experience the great golf holes.  Golf course restoration is the practice of preserving the original design intent of a particular golf course.

His final point was that preservation in the office is just as important as preservation in the field.  The access of historical specifications and construction drawings as well as old photographs  help to preserve the great character of all golf courses, but not without a proper and thorough understanding of history and putting that understanding in proper perspective.  Preserving golf courses and construction drawings, old notes and specifications, and old photographs will help to preserve the character of golf for eternity.  Without these priceless treasures, they will be gone before we know it.  Preservation of great courses is good for the enjoyment of the game of golf and the business side as well.  

Richard also presented a variation of this topic at the Tufts Archives in Pinehurst, North Carolina on September 19, 2001.