TEE BOX Q&A with Raymond Hearn “ Variety fuels me” Raymond Hearn has been in the golf course design business for over 30 years. GCA spoke with the architect about his career. Over the past 30 years, Raymond Hearn has developed a diverse portfolio, covering pre-1930s restorations, Golden Age projects, renovations at storied clubs and new golf course designs. Hearn is currently a very busy man and can be found working on restoration, remodelling and new course design in Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Michigan, Montana, New Jersey, New York and Texas. GCA spoke with the architect about how he got into golf course design and his current workload. What was your journey into golf course architecture? After getting a degree in turfgrass science from Michigan State University (MSU), I worked at the Country Club of Detroit – a Colt and Alison gem – as an assistant superintendent. I then went back to MSU to study landscape architecture, and I helped create the ‘Golf Course Architecture’ emphasis area with assistance from Professors Tony Bauer and Warren Rauhe. Pete Dye was one of my ASGCA sponsors and his advice is something I carry with me, even today: “You are only as good as your most recent work, get to the British Isles as much as possible and don’t be afraid to take chances.” I founded my company in 1996 and one year later, began co-teaching a golf course design seminar with Rauhe. Over six years, I visited many Photo: Crestmont CC Hearn’s 2025 sympathetic restoration of the eleventh green at the Donald Rossdesigned Crestmont CC in New Jersey 29
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NzQ1NTk=