31 Photo: Evan Schiller Hearn restored and increased shot value on the Robert Trent Jones Sr layout at Metedeconk National in 2022 top courses in England, Ireland and Scotland, and I learned as much as I taught. These trips were the best thing that could have ever happened to me as a young designer. You’re known for sympathetic restorations of early 20th-century golf courses. How do you approach such projects? There needs to be a balance between honouring an architect’s original intent and accommodating the modern game. You cannot simply recreate golf from when that course was built – green speeds, mowing lines, tree growth and hitting distances have changed. Then, to bring the design forward without losing its soul, you must undertake a lot of research into discovering the course’s past to chart its future. I have been blessed on my recent projects to have a wealth of historic materials at my disposal. At Crestmont in New Jersey, I worked with original Donald Ross sketches, historic photos and material from the Tufts University archives, while at Midlothian (Illinois), Pottawatomie (Indiana) and Aurora (Illinois), I had century-old plans, aerials and photos to guide me. What is the latest on your new design work? The Cardinal at Saint John’s Resort in Michigan is my latest 18-hole design to open. It has received strong reviews from resort golfers, as well as those competing in the LIV Golf event in August 2025. It was a great rush watching Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau and others navigating my design. I am also working with Boyne Golf on numerous projects at resorts they operate in Maine, Michigan and Montana. This work includes a new par-three layout at Harbor Springs in Michigan. Doon Brae at The Highlands opened last year – it is a nine-hole walking course that pays homage to some of the greatest green designs around the world through the use of creative contours, strong variety in varied green sites and memorable shortgame challenges. For Sugarloaf Resort Carrabassett Valley, Maine, I created construction plans for a nine-hole parthree course with incredible views of the majestic Bigelow Mountain Range. As my portfolio shows, variety fuels me. I love working on historic gems, public revivals, resort builds and short courses. Here’s to the next milestone! TEE BOX
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