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.

Written on February 19th, 2021 by Tim and stored in Golf News, Tim Lobb

Paul O’Brien MEIGCA died on 20th December 2020 following a protracted illness.

RIP Paul O’Brien. A great friend, father, husband and golf designer left our world far too young.

After graduating in Geography and Economics, and subsequently qualifying as a Geodetic (Land) Surveyor, Paul began his career in golf design as an intern with Jeff Howes in 1997. Paul credited Jeff with igniting his passion for golf course architecture and he stayed at Jeff Howes Golf Design for 16 years before joining (re)GOLF as a partner in 2013.

Paul’s proudest design achievements, amongst many, were Gowran Park in County Kilkenny and Naas Golf Club in County Kildare. Gowran Park was Paul’s first foray into the golf course design business back in 2001, when he was an on-site design coordinator. Nass Golf was the first project he undertook as (re)GOLF.

His enquiring mind was evident in how he revelled in finding solutions to problems, preferring the challenge of renovation work on an existing course to the less satisfying blank canvas of a green field site.

Paul’s enjoyment in his profession came from travel, experiencing new cultures and meeting people as excited as he was about creating or maximising the potential of a golf course.

Paul was a very popular and active EIGCA Member who will be sorely missed by all his friends and colleagues, at EIGCA and the wider golf industry. We send our sincere condolences to Paul’s wife and young son.

“It was clear from the very first time I met Paul that he loved the game of golf and had a fantastic sense of humour. Those attributes never waned, in good times and bad. Dear Paul, I do hope for God’s sake, that when you play golf up there you get relief when you land in a divot. Paul made a lot of friends in the golf business and he will be sadly missed. May he rest in peace.”Jeff Howes MEIGCA of Jeff Howes Golf Design

“We have lost a friend and a true professional, but more importantly, as Paul was a true family-man his family has lost a caring father and husband. It is a massive loss to us as Paul always strived to make us better and more professional. He loved the game of golf and had a passion to help others. Our hearts are broken, and we will forever honour him and his passionate approach to work. We are honoured to have him as a founder of our company but more importantly that we have been fortunate enough to call him our friend. Our thoughts are with his family in these difficult times.” Jeff Lynch & Christian Lundin, EIGCA Members and colleagues from (re)GOLF

“Paul was such a nice guy with an engaging personality. I am deeply shocked. My thoughts are with his family, to whom I would like to express my most heartfelt condolences. Paul is a huge loss for our EIGCA family and we will treasure his memory.” Christoph Städler, EIGCA President

Written on December 22nd, 2020 by Tim and stored in Uncategorized

Click on the link below to read full newsletter

Winter 2020 eNewsletter —-}  LOBB + PARTNERS (lobbandpartners.com)

If you would like to subscribe to the newsletter please email: tlobb@lobbandpartners.com

Written on December 11th, 2020 by Tim and stored in Uncategorized