In relation to the three classical styles of architecture – strategic, penal and heroic - how would you describe your philosophy of course design?

Well, I suppose more strategic. We don’t try to design golf courses that are unplayable or extremely difficult. However, we do try to build a golf course that we can set up to play as difficult as anyone would want to play it. In other words, we want the family to be able to go out and enjoy the golf course but, at the same time, we want to be able to set up the golf course to be a challenge to the best players in the world.

Of the golf courses you’ve designed, which are your favorites and why?

We’ve designed some golf courses which I feel are just outstanding. We’ve done quite a few great ones in the South, but Broadmoor (in Colorado) is a very fine golf course. It was built on the side of a mountain, though, so that has to be take into consideration.

Semiahmoo in that state of Washington is one of the most naturally beautiful golf courses I’ve ever seen. It’s one that is just truly outstanding. And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Isleworth (Orlando), and Wildcat Run (Fort Myers area)... Adios Golf Club in Deerfuild Beach, Fla., and the Plantation at Ponte Vedra . I could go on and on because I think these are all very classic golf courses; ones that, as years go by, will be recognized as truly great golf courses.

The one thing we have to keep in our minds and take into consideration is, number one, the modern techniques used in building a golf course, and two, the shaping of golf equipment and what that is going to do to the older golf courses as well as the ones we are building today.

If I were to say what I think should happen, I think the style of golf courses should remain the same. The old golf courses that we know – Oakmont, Winged Foot, Merion, Medinah, Los Angeles, Riviera, Olympic Club – are great golf courses. I don’t think we should get into a position where we have to change the golf courses radically in the ‘90s or on into the next century.

Generally, I think that a key to all this is the modification or restriction of certain types of equipment that would outmode all golf courses. That would, of course, change the whole style of the game. Specifically, we should look at the golf ball itself, and how we are going to manufacture golf balls to keep them in line with the golf courses that are being built, those that have been built, and those which will be built in the future.

I think that can be carried too far. As a matter of fact, when you get to that stage of golf, you can chase more people away from the game than you bring to it, and I don’t think that’s good. For veteran golfers or lower handicappers, that’s fine. They might enjoy that kind of golf course, but the higher handicappers and the beginners can’t really enjoy playing a golf course like that. They want to play a course that challenges them, but they want to be able to find their golf ball and finish. We’re getting a lot of golf courses with the penal type of design, but I think the architects that are designing them are letting up a little and going to a more subtle style.

Yes. For example, when Harbour Town was first built, you almost had to walk single file down the fairways. Through the years the golf course has been modified tremendously, and as a result, it has become a better golf course.