Louis Oosthuizen is taking his first steps into the golf course architecture industry by partnering with Peter Matkovich and the Matkovich Group.

The current world number 14 will be working with Matkovich to learn more about the golf design process and the business as a whole.

“I’m jumping out of my skin at the possibility to work with Peter Matkovich and his entire team,” said Oosthuizen. “I’m privileged to be able to tap into not only his brain, but also partner with the entire Matkovich Group, which is one of the most complete golf company’s I have ever come across. Obviously I look forward to sharing my thoughts with all of them on this journey.”

The 33-year-old from Mossel Bay, South Africa is currently preparing for this year’s Open Championship at Royal Troon.

“Golf courses are not always about length,” Oosthuizen said. “In recent years there has almost been an obsession with length and the advances in equipment has been a contributing factor in this. Because of technology, golf courses and course designers have had to adapt. But for me, I’d prefer to be more strategic.”

Peter Matkovich has a portfolio of more than 50 courses in a number of countries across Southern Africa. Many of these courses have been designed, constructed, maintained and managed by the Matkovich Group. The company is hoping that through the new partnership, it will be able to work in more global markets and gain further exposure.

Matkovich said: “I’m tremendously excited. Firstly, Louis is as nice a person as his golf is good. With that comes a very humble man. He obviously has opinions but is humble enough to say he has a lot to learn about this business, which is wonderful to negotiate. It’s an early phase and it’s a process he will go through before he can stand up and say ‘I am a designer’. I think the biggest plus that we offer though is that my design associate Louis van der Walt needs a Louis Oosthuizen to stand with him. We are looking at the next 10 to 15 years here and the future of our brand.”