53 with an understanding of agronomy and maintenance, construction techniques, drainage, irrigation, civil engineering and more, most of which require some ‘classroom’ work to learn. AH: Understanding contours and controlling surface water is vital to a golf architect’s work. I think aspects of that can be learnt in the classroom. Drawing skills are also very important, we often sit with clients and masterplanners and need to be able to communicate our ideas well with a scale ruler, pencil and tracing paper. In terms of understanding exactly what you are drawing, when working on a grading plan for example, nothing can beat seeing a good shaper bring your vision to life. On the more relaxing side, getting out and seeing golf courses is probably still the best way to learn. However, I’m not sure my wife and kids believe me when I tell them that when I am playing golf, it is actually research and development! How do you get projects as a young architect? RJ: Keep busy, do your best work, and hope the phone rings. JD: Nobody will tell you it is easy. It is all about relationships. I’ve been fortunate enough to work with some very well-established and recognised architects and designers. That doesn’t mean you don’t have to try. There is no secret recipe. You must find opportunities for exposure and pursue them wherever possible. One acquired skill is vetting what opportunities are worth your time and best-suited as a worthwhile endeavour. Sometimes the most challenging part is saying no. Nobody likes to turn down work, ever, but it takes discipline to understand when an opportunity isn’t a good fit and let it go. AM: Ironically, you need the experience to get projects, but need projects to gain the experience. So, get to work and acquire the knowledge. It doesn’t matter what course or level you are involved in, learn the equipment that is being used and stay focused and interested. If you notice that it is not the most outstanding project, stay positive because even a terrible experience is an experience of what you want to avoid in the future. The reputation and recommendation of your work will spread and hopefully you will get the right email. TK: I’m maybe in an enviable position to many young aspiring architects as I “ It’s a slow game. You have to be very patient and not get despondent when you miss out on work” Angela Moser (pictured on site during the construction of the current twelfth hole of Tom Doak’s design for The Rennaisance Club in Scotland) says her network began with a single contact in the industry Photo: Angela Moser
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