Featured architects

Gil Hanse

Restorer of the Golden Age and builder of the Olympic course

Born
1963, Pennsylvania, USA
Years active
1993–present
Works
Originals plus major championship restorations
Era
Contemporary

Why the name endures

Hanse founded Hanse Golf Course Design in 1993 and, with partner Jim Wagner, built a reputation first for scholarly restoration and then, after winning the Rio 2016 Olympic commission, for original work of the highest order. He is on site with a shovel more often than most architects are on site at all.

Design principles

  • Restore to the architect's intent, evidenced by drawings and photographs
  • Hands-on shaping with a small permanent crew
  • Firm, fast ground as the organising principle

Surviving work

Courses to see

Olympic Golf Course

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Sandy, windy public ground built for the 2016 Games.

Ohoopee Match Club

Georgia, USA

Built for match play, with alternate routings.

Los Angeles Country Club (North)

California, USA

His restoration of George Thomas, host of the 2023 U.S. Open.