Tom Weiskopf
His portfolio of admirable golf courses hits 60, Tom Weiskopf, the former college teammate of Jack Nicklaus, is a golf course designer. “I had enough controversy as a player, so I try to stay away from design controversy,” said Weiskopf, who is 57. “My design thoughts are reflected in all the things I’ve seen in the past that I like. No one has reinvented the wheel on this issue. And I think the best golf courses built since the 1930s were built in the 1990s and are to come in 2000 and beyond.”
As a designer he admits he doesn’t have formal training and he can’t draw a stick figure, but he can “sketch” and he knows what he likes. He’s a traditionalist. He likes false fronts. He doesn’t like blind tee shots (there’s also a liability issue). He wants a reachable par 4 on every course he designs. He wants a balance of holes with doglegs right and holes that bend left. He likes less mounding. Tom has been designing golf courses since 1985 and his work can be experienced all over the world. With over 60 courses to date, Tom’s main goal is to apply his creativity so each course provides a memorable experience.
Widely known for having the most elegant swing in golf, Tom spent 30 plus years on the PGA and Senior PGA Tours from the 1970’s through the 90’s. He accrued over 25 PGA and international victories during his career, including a British Open victory in 1973, a Senior U.S. Open Championship in 1995. He was named “Golf Architect of the Year” in 1996 by Golf World magazine his traditional courses are enjoyed around the world.