The redesigned and renamed Jameson Golf Links at Portmarnock Resort near Dublin, Ireland, features on the cover of the new issue of Golf Course Architecture. The work, overseen by Jeff Lynch of (re)GOLF, included rerouting several holes, including those located in the dunes close to the Irish Sea.

With golf experiencing participation figures not seen in decades, we ask whether this is translating into a boom for golf course architects, For our main feature article, which includes insights from golf course architects Phil Smith, Adrian Stiff, Christian Lundin, Jeremy Slessor, Bill Coore, Kurt Bowman, Dana Fry and Rob Collins.

Adam Lawrence visited Pinehurst in North Carolina for an in-construction view of the Tom Doak-designed tenth course at the resort. He picks out the eighth as “among the boldest holes that I have ever seen” – in part due to its imposing ‘Matterhorn’ feature in the direct line of play.

Adam also spent time at Foxhills club in Surrey, England, which is investing heavily in its courses, with the design expertise of Gary Johnston of European Golf Design.

Also in this issue, we speak with Cynthia Dye McGarey about Erbil Hills – the only golf course in Iraq – which is set to open its first nine holes. Cynthia talks about her experience of working in the city of Erbil and why this project is important for Iraq.

We report on the greens rebuild at Aloha Golf Club in Marbella, Spain; Nicklaus Design’s new Panther National course in south Florida; the upcoming ‘facelift’ by Jerry Pate at Teeth of the Dog in the Dominican Republic; the renovation of the Monster Golf Course in New York by Rees Jones and Bryce Swanson; and Dan Hixson’s carefully budgeted work at Bend Golf Club in Oregon.

Elsewhere, we hear from Ron Forse, who explores the crossover, in reality and in language, between golf and warfare; and Brandon Johnson, who highlights the need for interesting and strategic golf course design rather than focusing on making holes extremely difficult or overly long.

Our Tee Box sections includes news of OCM’s redesign of Course Three at Medinah Country Club near Chicago, and a look at the routing for the new Cabot Highlands course that is expected to open for preview play in 2024. We speak with Aleem Hussain, the only Guyanese-born golf course designer, about the 10 golf courses he plans to build in the South American country; and we report on the renovation that has just kicked off at Royal Birkdale in Southport, England, ahead of it hosting the 2026 Open Championship. There’s plenty more too.

• View the digital edition of the October 2023 issue of Golf Course Architecture
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