Featured architects

David McLay Kidd

The Scot who opened Bandon Dunes

Born
1967, Scotland
Years active
1999–present
Works
25+ courses worldwide
Era
Contemporary

Why the name endures

The son of a golf course superintendent at Gleneagles, Kidd grew up inside the maintenance shed and brought that understanding to Bandon Dunes in 1999 — the course that started the American destination-links movement. His later work has moved deliberately toward wide, playable, joyful golf.

Design principles

  • Fun before difficulty; the average golfer sets the standard
  • Enormous fairways with interest supplied by contour
  • Views and drama used as part of the strategy

Surviving work

Courses to see

Bandon Dunes

Oregon, USA

The course that began the resort and the movement.

Gamble Sands

Washington, USA

Huge fairways above the Columbia River.

Mammoth Dunes

Wisconsin, USA

Sand Valley's most generous and most talked-about course.