| BY DESIGN
A
of
Sense
Place
For a golf course to be memorable it must have an identity, writes award-winning architect Paul Jansen.
A
One of the ancient temples that can be found at Delhi Golf Club (opposite top); caddies at Laguna Lang Co in Vietnam (opposite bottom) 38
HK GOLFER・NOV 2014
sense of place by definition “is a sense of the beauty and the wealth of phenomena that comprise a particular place. It is a factor that makes an environment psychologically
comfortable.” To achieve this a golf course must have an identity – most times derived by a close association with its surroundings. What’s important is that the golf course “feels” and “looks” like it belongs in its space; where possible even enhances this space. If it’s identifiable with its surrounds – and this not only being confined to the immediate surrounds – then there is every chance it will have memorability, character and individuality, which are so important to achieving a great product. As an example, if I were to play golf in the desert I want to know that I am in the desert and not some lush environment dominated by water. Likewise, if I am to play golf within a coastal dunescape, with generous ground movement, it would hardly make sense for the play areas to be flat and featureless. But creating a sense of place is more than just adopting the characteristics of the surrounding environment – it’s about traditions and cultures as well. Take for example the long lunch break between nines in Japan or how in Vietnam, on some courses, the caddies wear the traditional conical hats and ao dai dresses. This is important as part of the experience and adds immeasurably to creating a sense of place. Golf course furniture can go a long way
to achieving a sense of place. In Thailand, at Laguna Phuket, we have positioned Thai boats in strategic locations along some of the waterways for effect. Those rickety fences you see in the sand dunes bounding some of the seaside golf courses in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and even in the USA, gives these courses added character and a coastal identity. A good understanding of the local culture is paramount to achieving success or one could be left with a very different sense of place. What’s important is that the architect takes the time to study the surrounding areas for sources of information and inspiration. The most identifiable golf courses take you on a journey of discovery through the property. There are moments throughout the route where you get to feel part of the story – often becoming engrossed in its dynamics. This could be as simple as being taken to areas that afford spectacular glimpses of the greater surrounds or in some cases you’re taken by a feature or features that just can’t be forgotten. What’s important here is that the golf architect routes the course in such a way that this journey benefits from these positive influences – be it on or off-site. But what of a site that is featureless? How does one create a “sense of place” in an environment that is essentially lacking anything of note? Of course one could argue that a flat featureless site may not be ideal for golf in the first place. In fact I recall the late Architect William Flynn – who would design one of the most identifiable golf courses in Shinnecock HKGOLFER.COM
Hills – writing that “to have a satisfactory golf course you must first secure a suitable piece of land over which to lay it out”. There is truth in that but I am still convinced you can create an identifiable and unique golf course, with a sense of belonging, on a very ordinary parcel of land. One great example of this is Old Memorial in Florida. What was essentially a f lat somewhat featureless site (bisected by a power-line) was transformed into a spectacular golfing oasis that looks like it was carved out of the Florida everglades. It is memorable and strategic golf in every way, even if it is situated in the suburbs. Architect Steve Smyers worked tirelessly on the detail to ensure that the character of the course conformed to the landscape you find in Florida. Old Memorial is a great example how a golf course can enhance its landscape immeasurably. There is no question that my favourite golf courses are those that have a sense of belonging. I enjoy strategic golf very much but am just as infatuated by a golf journey being a sense of discovery and adventure. If I am to remember a hole then it needs to be a strategic feast or carry a feature or features that are memorable to me and complement its environment. To use a couple of examples: it’s hard to forget the rail line that divide some of the holes at the Royal Colombo Golf Club in Sri Lanka or the temples that watch over some of the course at the old Delhi Golf Club. I clearly remember the walk from the 16th green at Danang Golf Club, which passes an Indochina War-era bunker, and the rickety clubhouse at the unique Royal West Norfolk Golf Club in England will live long in the memory. Even the entrance drive has an ability to set the tone and create a sense of belonging, as is the case at the Royal Golf Club de Belgique or Utrecht De Pan in the Low Countries. What of the outstanding views from the clubhouse at Shinnecock Hills or from the 17th green at Crystal Downs? Add who can forget the noises that steam out of the bush at Leopard Creek or even Sun City in South Africa? Would Royal County Down be as identifiable without its maram grass-clad bunkers and would Walton Heath be as good without all that heather grass? It ’s no secret t hat a good number of golf courses simply exist with little (if any) relationship with their surroundings. These courses often lack memorability – and they are difficult to play because there is nothing to discover or arouse our senses. Moving forward we need more golf courses that complement their space and carry features that enhance the experience. A sense of place is important in every form of architecture, especially golf course architecture. HKGOLFER.COM
It’s no secret that a good number of golf courses simply exist with little (if any) relationship with their surroundings. These courses often lack memorability – and they are difficult to play because there is nothing to discover or arouse our senses.
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