Tim Lobb MEIGCA has become the 12th President of the European Institute of Golf Course Architects (EIGCA). Elected as President at the 2021 Annual General Meeting in Cardiff, Wales on 13th October, Tim pledged to focus his term on the importance of design in the future of golf.
On his appointment, Tim says: “We, as golf course architects, have the power to shape the future. We need to design courses that are relevant in our modern day society. It is our chance, now, in a post-COVID world, to bring families and young people into golf. We must create the facilities that make golf interesting and fun.
“I will use my term as EIGCA President, and the platform this provides, to drive ahead with the message that the design of a course is fundamental to safeguarding the future of golf. We need to stress how the design of courses helps promote the game of golf, for all.”
Tim’s pledge to focus on the importance of design in the future of golf, follows three themes:
- Collaboration – greater collaboration with other international associations to promote the exchange of ideas and experiences to achieve a broad understanding of our industry from a global perspective
- Awareness – seek an enhanced appreciation in the wider (non-golfing) community of the positive environmental effect of well-considered golf course design
- Impact – encourage stakeholders in the wider golf industry to understand and appreciate the importance of our expertise and the fundamental impact they have on the future of golf for all.
Australian-born Tim Lobb MEIGCA has worked in golf course design for 25 years. After starting his career in Melbourne, Tim moved to Kuala Lumpur and in 1998 settled in the UK where he worked with European Golf Design and later formed a partnership with Peter Thomson and Ross Perrett. Based in Surrey, UK, Tim formed LOBB + PARTNERS in 2016 and has additional offices in Canada and South Korea.
Tim Lobb concludes: “I wish to thank Christoph Städler MEIGCA for what he has achieved during his term as President and for his support by nominating me for this role. I look forward to the next two years and working with Caspar Grauballe MEIGCA who begins his term as Vice President.”
Tim Lobb (middle) with Caspar Grauballe (left) and Christoph Staedler (right) in Cardiff
An inspirational conference presentation from profoundly deaf EIGCA Member, Ben Stephens on living and working with a hidden disability
First round of Presidents Cup at the mighty Royal Porthcawl in Wales. The early groups prepare.
Well done Paul Kimber on winning the Presidents Cup
The inaugural Paul O’ Brien memorial trophy (Partners comp) was won by Keith Duff
As always thanks to Julia, Wendy and Lindsey from EIGCA HQ for organising and running such a spectacular Annual Meeting in Wales.
See you in Iceland 2022.
Notes to Editors:
- The European Institute of Golf Course Architects (EIGCA) represents Europe’s most qualified golf course architects. Members have shown through their skill, experience and training that they are able to design and oversee the construction of golf courses to the highest standards. EIGCA works to enhance the status of the golf course design profession, increase the opportunities for members to practice throughout the world and educate future golf course architects.
Written on October 21st, 2021 by Tim and stored in Our projects, Press Releases, Tim Lobb
In the first week of October, Canadian Partner Alex Hay, commenced with the Associate Program with the ASGCA.
Held in Cleveland, Ohio the event was a celebration of the 75 years anniversary for the Association and recognised celebrated golf course architects Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw with the Donald Ross award.
Alex Hay participates in ASGCA, meeting in Cleveland, Ohio
Many thanks must be given to the ASGCA staff and leadership for the warm welcome that was received and for such a well run event.
Congratulations Alex on this fantastic achievement and step forward.
Written on October 8th, 2021 by Tim and stored in Uncategorized
Chris Bertram and Golf World have recently published a ranking of the Top 100 Modern Courses in Europe – that is courses built in the last 30 years. Surely a renaissance period for golf course design and development.
Proud to have been involved with these two projects in the past.
Time to add a few more to the list for the future
Tim L
33. Carya
Belek, Turkey
The course we rate as the finest of a very strong collection in Belek. It was laid out by Thomson, Perrett & Lobb in 2008 – with Tim Lobb continuing to make astute refinements today. Heathland in look, with heather, white sand bunkers and mature pines, it is a real class act.
The early days of Carya construction is seen above.
Carya Golf Club ranks highest modern golf course in Turkey
86. Linna
Hameenlinna, Finland
Tim Lobb, while working for European Golf Design, laid out this Finnish course in 2005 and it is a fixture in our Continental Top 100. It travels over often distinctly undulating land and between towering pines to create a tranquil test.
Linna Golf – a truly spectacular setting and amazing clients to work with. Dreams do come true.
Read the full listing here:
Golf World Top 100: Best New Golf Courses in Europe | Today’s Golfer (todaysgolfer.co.uk)
Written on August 27th, 2021 by Tim and stored in Uncategorized
Some super news from our UK office and an exciting appointment which see us consulting to the spectacular Isle of Purbeck Golf Club in Dorset.
L+P start work with Isle of Purbeck Owners David Suruki and Kathy Tatar (Tim Lobb on Right)
Very pleased to start working with the Club on an exciting long term golf and landscape enhancement strategic plan.
Such a raw and spectacular golf course experience which will only get better under the ownership of David Suruki + Kathy Tatar, guidance of Master Greenkeeper David Langheim and all the greenkeeping team.
Views to die for at the Isle of Purbeck. What an opportunity.
Watch this space. Tim L.
Written on July 23rd, 2021 by Tim and stored in Top Courses
At Woking Golf Club, only a couple of miles from his home, Tim is working with Course Manager Andy Ewence and General Manager Richard Pennell to create a new set of forward tees, with the aim of making the course more playable for short-hitting golfers, including juniors, seniors and women.
The first phase of the project, which began in early March, covers holes 1, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12 and 15. These works were completed by the end of March, and are being handled by contractor MJ Abbott, Rainbird Irrigation as well as Ewence’s team.
Tim said: “Our heather restoration work at Woking has been a great success, and is set to improve the course’s environmental impact significantly. Heather is beautiful and it is the appropriate choice for a heathland course, but it is a tough and unyielding hazard for players with slow swing speeds. Therefore adding more forward tees is a sensible choice to make the course less penal for such players.”
Richard Pennell said: “Tim, has been our consulting architect for several years now and he really knows and understands the course well. These new tees will play an important part in enhancing Woking’s appeal to players of all standards.”
Andy Ewence, Richard Pennell and Tim Lobb on new forward tee, first hole at Woking Golf Club
Written on May 27th, 2021 by Tim and stored in Uncategorized
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada — Lakeland Golf Management announced that Golf Course Architecture firm Lobb + Partners has been retained as part of their team set to revitalize Waterton Lakes Golf Course — a historic 18-hole course, in southwest Alberta, owned by Parks Canada.
Lobb + Partners appointed to the spectacular Waterton Lakes GC
Waterton Lakes GC is a place where wildlife—deer, elk, moose, and the occasional cougar and bear roam. More than 1,400 forms of flora, many species not found anywhere else in Alberta, also call this place “where the mountains meet the prairies” home. The course dates back to 1922 when the original 9 holes were opened. To accommodate demand, a second nine was added, and on Canada Day, 1935, Waterton Lakes expanded to 18 holes. Following input from Canada’s most famous Golf Course Architect, Stanley Thompson, further course improvements were made through the 1950s.
Lakeland Golf Management operates 9 golf courses in Western Canada (five in Manitoba, four in Saskatchewan). Parks Canada has awarded them the Lease to manage, operate, maintain and make capital improvements to Waterton Lakes Golf Course for the next 25 years.
Glorious vistas playing up the 9th/ 18th holes in this Southern Alberta location
“Lakeland Golf Management is excited to work with Lobb + Partners to help revitalize this historic course for visitors and locals to enjoy for generations,” said Harry Brotchie, President, Lakeland Golf Management Inc.
“Our team’s approach to intelligent design and sustainability strives to maximize the positive impacts Waterton Lakes Golf Course can have on its social and environmental surroundings,” said Alex Hay, Lobb + Partners’ Canadian Partner and Design Associate. “We believe when managed properly golf courses provide many positive benefits to local environments and wider communities. A sustainable approach was part of golf in the beginning and it must be part of golf in the future. We look forward to working with Lakeland Golf Management on this exciting project.”
Sustainability will be at the core of all design considerations
As part of its contribution to this long-term project, Lobb + Partners recommends: increasing the connection with the surrounding natural landscape and to helping educate golfers on the importance of protecting–and respecting–the rare flora and fauna which call the golf course home.
Today, the golf course remains an important attraction within Waterton Lakes National Park, and is a strong community asset. Both Lakeland Golf Management and Lobb + Partners look forward to ensuring the course is not just preserved, but enhanced, for future generations to enjoy.
We look forward to a long future working with the Lakeland Golf Management team
In addition to this project, Lakeland Golf Management has entered into an agreement with Lobb + Partners to assist, as needed, with future review, planning and design solutions for other properties in their portfolio.
For more information:
About Lakeland Golf Management
Lakeland Golf Management is an established golf course management company which, through the Lakeland Golf Management Group of Companies, provides design, consulting, operational and management services for a wide range of courses. Led by Harry Brotchie, a Past President of the PGA of Canada, and current President of the National Golf Course Owners Association of Canada, Lakeland Golf Management team of professionals has a successful track record in creating positive golf course experiences for players and operational achievements for clients. https://www.lakelandgolfmanagement.com/
Written on April 29th, 2021 by Tim and stored in Our projects, Top Courses
Lobb + Partners has signed an agreement that will see it expand into another new international market, in this case South Korea. The firm was selected to be part of JM Golf Advisors, a group of golf course architects and other golf development professionals chosen to help with the design and development of sustainable, strategically interesting and player responsive golf courses. The group has been founded by experienced Korean golf development professional Mr James Park.
Park says: “Lobb + Partners were a natural fit for our group as they have a long history of designing and opening very successful golf courses that golfers have enjoyed around the world. We have a number of projects being considered at present and we welcome the addition of their valuable design knowledge and skill.”
LOBB + PARTNERS expand into South Korea
Tim Lobb added: “Covid-19 has made us explore new options, and so we have taken the chance to review our business and set long term goals. This move fits perfectly in that context, plus it has long been a goal for me to return to work in Asia – where I started my career in the mid 1990s with Ted Parslow in Malaysia.”
We look forward to working with existing clubs and creating new courses in South Korea
JM Golf Advisor’s website can be found at www.jmgolfadvisor.com
To view Korean videos of LOBB + PARTNERS click below:
(1) LOBB + PARTNERS – 기업 비디오 – YouTube
(1) 골프 코스 마스터기획에 대한 통찰력 — LOBB + PARTNERS: 골프 코스 아키텍트 – YouTube
(1) 팀 롭 골프 디자인 사업의 25년을 비추다 – YouTube
(1) 작업 LOBB + PARTNERS – 고객의 관점 – YouTube
Written on April 20th, 2021 by Tim and stored in Our projects, Tim Lobb
In the words of The Preferred Lie:
Pender Harbour “feels home made at times, and then expertly crafted at others… and it has a sense of place that is hard to put into words.” At least 6 of the 9 green sites are stellar. It boasts one of the most polarizing holes we’ve ever seen (the 4th). Its backdrop is truly world class (for those in the UK … think Portsalon).
Often times we found ourselves asking “Why doesn’t Canada know about this place?” As we get older, golf is less about chasing lists and more about sharing unique experiences. For those chasing golf therapy, zen and quiet.
Pender Harbour stands out. On this chilly January day, we had the opportunity to play PH with Alex Hay (Lobb + Partners) and Allan Dewald (Course Superintendent). We also had a great chat with Darlene Selander (Pro Shop Manager) about her golf pro journey and how she ended up at Pender.
Watch the sensational video by clicking link below
Way Out West: Pender Harbour – YouTube
To learn more about The Preferred Lie see: Top 100 Golf Courses | The Preferred Lie
We look forward to keeping you updated of our work to Pender Harbour Golf Club over the coming months/ years.
Alex Hay and Oliver Tubb – LOBB + PARTNERS: British Columbia, Canada.
Written on February 26th, 2021 by Tim and stored in Top Courses, Travels
On Thursday 18th February we held our second in an ongoing series of Webinars concerning various design and sustainability topics.
For this webinar we were curious to dig deeper and learn why and how the best golf clubs and courses continue to seek improvements to their facilities.
Our expert panellists included:
Wayne Sheffield, President + General Manager (Isleworth Golf & Country Club – USA)
Gary Peddie, Secretary + General Manager, (St George’s Hill Golf Club – UK)
Padraic O’ Rourke, Assistant Director of Golf, (Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Club – Canada)
We thank the fantastic panellists for their time and expert opinions on this and other matters. For the audience from Canada, USA, UK and Europe the 70 minutes of discussion were most enlightening.
What became obvious is that these clubs always prepare well in advance before any design or renovation works were undertaken. Also that they always called in the professionals to assist with all projects including golf course architects, agronomists and specialised golf contractors.
Also what was interesting was the long term planning and vision undertaken by these clubs – sometimes looking twenty years into the future.
Continual improvement for their members and guests is definitely a key driver for these golf management professionals.
If you would like to view the recording of this or our first webinar please get in touch. Also if you would like to be informed of our next quarterly webinar in May come and say hi.
Tim L, Alex and Oliver
Written on February 21st, 2021 by Tim and stored in Tim Lobb
We are proud to be completing the third and final phase of our bunker and heathland landscape restoration project at Worplesdon Golf Club.
Since first starting on the project a few years back we have always been excited to restore the famous horse shoe bunker that surrounds the famous par three green on hole thirteen.
The original horse shoe bunker
Working with specialised golf contractor Frank Lovell and Course Manager, Paul Robinson and the greenkeeping team we have managed to restore the horse shoe effect around this green and added supplementary heather along the way.
Works to the 13th hole were completed in early January 21. Bunker sand to go in soon.
Bravo to the Club for respecting their history and restoring this important feature.
We are proud and very pleased to have completed the entire bunker and heathland restoration project with this esteemed golf course.
Tim L.
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