NWD Golf architects will collaborate on bids for international projects, especially in Southeast Asia and Africa
By Richard Humphreys |
Designers (pictured above, from left) Garrett Wasson, Vijit Nandrajog, and Pierfrancesco De Simone have formed NWD Golf, a new global golf course architecture firm.
The trio have known each other since 2006, when they studied golf architecture at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland.
“The collaboration started in 2025, when we bid on a 36-hole golf project in Vietnam, which we lost,” said De Simone. “However, given the size of the other international golf architecture firms, we were inspired to continue the collaboration to improve our chances of getting work in emerging markets like Southeast Asia and Africa. Our ethos is anchored in eco-conscious design, creative innovation, revered heritage and a collaborative spirit.”
Nandrajog added: “On the Vietnam project, we worked together and shared ideas before creating a masterplan for two 18-hole courses.”
Wasson said: “For local projects, we are keeping it quite independent, both in terms of our project management and marketing.”
The trio are based in different countries, with Nandrajog in India, Wasson in USA and De Simone in Italy. The group brings a collective 52 years of experience, with work completed in 11 countries and on over 40 courses.
“Vijit is a pioneer in golf course architecture, blending his deep-rooted passion for the game with an innovative design philosophy,” said De Simone. “He is the first qualified golf architect from India with a masterful understanding of the sport’s heritage and future possibilities.
“Garrett is a member of the American Society of Golf Course Architects and a registered landscape architect who has worked on projects throughout the United States and Asia.”
De Simone is a member of the European Institute of Golf Course Architects and has designed courses across Europe and in Africa.
The first projects of the new company are taking place in Italy, with De Simone as lead architect. He is redesigning the sixth hole at La Pinetina Golf Club, southwest of Como, Italy, the first step in a course-wide remodelling. The course hosts the tournament, Memorial Giorgio Bordoni by AON, on the Alps Tour every October.
All bunkers on hole six have been reshaped and now feature Ecobunker’s edging system. Shaping and liner installation was carried out by local company Wald und Garten under the supervision of golf course superintendent Roberto De Maestri.
Pierfrancesco De Simone is leading a renovation at La Pinetina near Como, Italy (Photo: NWD Golf)
De Simone has also been appointed to oversee the restoration of the San Valentino course in the province of Reggio Emilia not far from Bologna and Modena. He will work with golf consultant Loris Vento on the design of four new greens, the clearing of vegetation, new cart paths as well as renovating tees and bunkers. “Pinetina and San Valentino projects are led by me due to my proximity to the sites,” said De Simone.