Andrew Goosen launches new Cape Town based golf design firm
South African golf architect Andrew Goosen has officially launched his own practice, The Morris Golf Co.
Based in Cape Town, the new firm aims to bring classical principles of golf design to the South African market, as well as to emerging golf destinations in Africa and beyond.
Goosen, a graduate member of the European Institute of Golf Course Architects, has spent the last six years with London-based firm Thomson Perrett & Lobb. A native Capetonian, he relocated back to South Africa three years ago to set up TPL’s first African office, and has now decided the time is right to start his own business.
“Golf is growing rapidly around Africa,” he said. “In these new markets, I believe it is important for us to build courses that reflect the timeless values of Golden Age designers such as Harry Colt, Alister MacKenzie and Old Tom Morris. In too many new markets, developers and designers have forgotten what made golf great back home. I want to build courses that are strategic and that reward bold, high quality play, while still being a fun day out for ordinary players. Africa does not need a flood of huge ‘championship’ courses that are unplayable for anyone who is not highly skilled.”
Some may wonder at the name of Goosen’s new company. “I chose the Morris Golf Co. name for two reasons,” he said. “Morris is a common name in my family, and is in fact one of my own middle names. But obviously, also, I want to reflect the history of golf, in all of my work.”
Goosen is already working on a number of projects in South Africa and beyond, including a new eighteen hole course in South Africa’s Limpopo province, close to the Kruger National Park. Elsewhere in Africa, he has projects in a number of countries, including Swaziland.
“Africa is a huge potential market for golf, and will give rise to some amazing courses in the future,” Goosen said. “We hope to be a part of creating many of them!”