Sheboygan, WI—The 97th PGA Championship marks the final golf major of the ‘15 season and this year’s venue will clearly make an impact in determining what player will hoist the famed Wannamaker Trophy over their head as champion.
The Straits Course is one of two-18-hole layouts at Whistling Straits. The layouts were designed by the renowned Pete Dye and this will mark the third PGA Championship to be contested here since ‘04. In 2020, the Ryder Cup Matches will be contested here as well.
To better understand the nature of the design I reached out five (5) distinguished golf architects. What better way to more fully comprehend the golf course elements than to get the candid feedback from those who work in the field.
The Participants...
RICHARD MANDELL
Has worked on more than sixty golf courses since 1992 in 13 states and China. Restoration of Ellis Maples’ Orangeburg Country Club recently voted Renovation of the Decade by the Sourth Carolina Golf Raters Panel this past month. Acclaimed work at the storied Keller Golf Course in St. Paul, Minnesota named Golf Magazine Municipal Renovation of the Year 2014. In 2011, named one of the 15 Most Influential Architects by GolfInc. Magazine. www.golf-architecture.com.
KELLY BLAKE MORAN
Has designed golf courses for over 30 years collaborating with other professionals to produce 23 new golf courses, and renovate 15 existing courses in 5 countries. Based in the United States and can be contacted at [email protected].
PHILIP SPOGARD
From European based Spogárd & VanderVaart Golf Course Architects, has been one of the most award winning golf course architects in the World over the past 6 years. Have worked on the renovation and design of several courses ranking among the European Top 100 as well as courses hosting the European Tour.
STEVE SMYERS
Has been designing courses worldwide—on 6 continents—for over 30 years. Served on the USGA Executive Committee and is the current President of the American Society of Golf Course Architects. He has competed in six decades of USGA competition and anumber of his courses have hosted world class professional golf tournaments. Based in Lakeland, FL.
JEFFREY D. BRAUER
A golf course architect for 37 years. Formed his firm Jeffrey D. Brauer/GolfScapes in the Dallas area in 1984. Since then, has designed over 50 new courses, and renovated many more. President of ASGCA for its 50th anniversary year in 1995-6. Among his better known works are Cowboys Golf Club, (first NFL themed course) The Quarry and Legend at Giant’s Ridge and Wilderness at Fortune Bay in Minnesota, and Firekeeper, Colbert Hills and Sand Creek Station in Kansas.
On with the Q & A ...
The Straits Course at Whistling Straits is the handiwork of architect Pete Dye. What will be Dye’s legacy when all is said and done with his career?
Philip Spogard: He will be considered one of the great pioneers in golf course design. Never afraid to go his own way and challenge the norm
Steve Smyers: Pete’s legacy will be that he created many unique and dynamic designs. He has not been afraid to push the envelope with design and always adapted his designs to the ever changing game.
Richard Mandell: His legacy is that he truly pushed the envelope in golf course design that worked in multiple categories from strategy to aesthetics. Dye showed one can look at replicating nature differently than most would consider. He also made it work challenging the best golfers.
Jeff Brauer: One of the few architects in history who really changed the course of architecture—and the architecture of courses. His style was a true paradigm change, which still influences us today.
Kelly Blake Moran: He manufactured and contrived land forms for the very best players.
