Happy holidays to all Golf Course Architecture readers!
As the year draws to a close and the festive season gets under way, we’d like to wish all Golf Course Architecture readers a very happy holiday period. With our regular coverage taking a short winter pause, we are taking this opportunity to revisit a selection of the articles that were particularly popular among our readers across the four editions of GCA magazine that we published in 2025 – perfect reading for a quieter moment over the holidays.
The first article we’re highlighting is our On Site piece on the New course at Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeen, Scotland, which was also our cover star for the July issue. Toby Ingleton was among the first to visit the completed course and spoke with the project team about the dramatic site, which centres on a system of high dunes that are as impressive as those found on the club’s first course. He wrote: “The New is a high-octane adventure that offers a thrill a minute.”
One of our most popular feature articles was published right at the start of the year, when we explored whether the aesthetic appeal of bunker design is overshadowing functionality. Golf architects Bill Coore, Kyle Franz, Robin Hiseman, Jay Blasi, Mike Cocking, Ron Forse and Jeff Mingay shared their insights. “Everyone’s trying to outdo each other,” said Forse. “And some of the elegant simplicity of architects like Colt and Flynn is getting lost in all the cacophony. How much of this stuff is really going to be around in 10 years?”
Another of this year’s most popular stories, appearing in our April issue, was our interview with Martin Ebert. The firm he leads with partner Tom Mackenzie has an enviable portfolio, which includes eight of the ten Open venues. “The first Open venue that commissioned us was Royal Lytham & St Annes: we pulled out all the stops to secure that one,” recalled Ebert.
We have also featured fascinating insight from those within the industry, and our October issue included articles from architect Forrest Richardson on how an unexpected phone call led to the development of a golf art business; and from agronomist Julian Mooney of Turfgrass who discusses how early engagement between architects and agronomists helps to deliver courses that are tournament-ready.
Throughout the year, our Reports section has featured projects from all corners of the globe, including the Hilton Dalaman Sarigerme resort in southwest Turkey; the Hann Reserve development in the Philippines; the new Capital Hills course in Pakistan; Moon Palace Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic; Nauka Nayarit on Mexico’s Pacific coast; and the first 18-hole golf course in Benin.
Many thanks to all our readers, sponsors and contributors to Golf Course Architecture for your support in 2025. We’re looking forward to teeing off next year with another new issue, which will include reports on new courses at Somabay in Egypt and the Paragraph Tabori Golf & Spa in Georgia, plus much more! Subscribe to receive your copy.
Best wishes for the holidays, and here’s to a great 2026!