Tom Watson
Profile
Tom Watson is a champion American golfer who claimed 5 Open Championship titles among the 8 majors that he won during his decorated playing career. He first turned his hand to design during the 1980s when given the opportunity to partner with Sandy Tatum and Robert Trent Jones II at Spanish Bay in Monterey. Despite the glamorous coastline, the site itself was devoid of character and hamstrung by planning issues. Unperturbed, the team chose a links style of design with lush fairways and sprawling bunkers but otherwise several authentic links features.
Spanish Bay seemed a promising start in design for the popular Tom Watson, but the next major project was the Cassique Course at Kiawah Island, which is a disappointing quasi-links on Low Country ground that was over shaped and unnecessarily complicated by some questionable concepts. The use of mounding and artificial dune shapes seemed a good idea at the time, but a more judicious approach to all the earth moving may have prevented the problems that ultimately arose – issues like forced layups, hidden features and unduly penal hazards all distract from the enjoyment of golfing on Cassique.
Tom Watson’s golfing pedigree is impeccable and his passion for links golf sincere and commendable. We genuinely hope that any future project he works on will prove a more faithful rendition of the style of golf that he loves so dearly.
For an independent appraisal of Tom Watson’s portfolio or for general design advice please contact the Global Golf Group.
