By Richard Humphreys |
Tom Doak has created a scholarship for students of golf course design. The Doak Award will be granted every two years to selected individuals, primarily under the age of 30, that have showcased a commitment to a career in golf course architecture.
“The purpose of the award is to further the education of promising young architects who have already demonstrated their dedication to a career in golf course design,” said Doak. “It is really a write-your-own-award set-up, so that it’s tailored to the gaps in each applicant’s experience, whatever they think they are.”
Like the Dreer Award at Cornell University, which funded Doak’s travels to study golf courses in 1982-83, applicants must propose their own programme of study, to include both travel and practical education. Doak was 21 years old when granted the Dreer Award, and he believes that it was important to have had broad exposure to great courses at a young age.
The award is intended for people under the age of 30, although those over 30 who have demonstrated a commitment to a career in golf course design in their actions and recent experience, are also welcome to apply.
“I do expect travel to be an important part of the award, but I am keenly aware that it is much more expensive to see great courses today than when I spent nine months in the UK for about $10,000 in 1982!” says Doak. “To that end, I am enlisting a bunch of my former clients to provide lodging and food in key locations, and asking fellow architects to host a student for a day or two if travelling to their part of the country.”
The award is funded by Doak and the new Childress Hall club in Texas, which opened its Upper course, designed by Doak, in 2024 and Lower course by Gil Hanse in 2025. “We expect to raise around $50,000 per event and this money will be awarded to one to three winners each year, at the sole discretion of the award committee,” said Doak.
The Upper course at the Childress Hall club in Texas, which is the main benefactor of The Doak Award (Photo: Childress Hall)
Doak’s Childress Hall design opened in 2024 (Photo: Childress Hall)
The committee of three includes Doak, one of his associates, and Arif Mawji of Childress Hall, the main benefactor of the award. They may award the entire sum to one applicant or to split it between two or three individuals.
How to apply for The Doak Award
Proposals should include the following:
• A brief biography outlining your previous experience in golf and career path to date.
• Details of proposed travel and practical experience, and why you feel this experience is key to your education.
• Letters of recommendation from people in the world of golf.
• A rough timeframe and budget for completing the programme as proposed.
Applications will be reviewed by Doak and his associates, and three finalists will be selected for interview in early 2027.
In autumn 2028, the award winner(s) will be expected to provide a report of their activity at the gathering for the next award at Childress Hall.
Email your proposal directly to Tom Doak at doakgolf@aol.com by 1 November 2026, with ‘Doak Award Proposal’ in the subject line.