In this episode of The Process by The Greenprint, Leighton Walker and Thad Layton are joined by legendary golf course architect Bill Coore, whose work with Ben Crenshaw has helped define a modern approach to golf course architecture rooted in natural landforms, strategic interest and a deep respect for the character of a site.
Bill reflects on what golf course architecture means to him, describing it as an attempt to create "interesting playgrounds" for a game born of nature. He explains why the early links of Britain and Ireland remain such an important blueprint, and why his approach is centred on working with the land rather than imposing a design upon it.
The conversation explores Bill's philosophy of preservation, particularly on fragile sand dune sites, and the lessons learned at Sand Hills and Rodeo Dunes. He explains why doing the least possible does not mean doing nothing, and why the ultimate compliment is creating landforms that look as though nobody ever touched them.
Bill also discusses his approach to working with talented associates, giving them the freedom to develop ideas while increasingly seeing his and Ben's role as editors rather than authors. He shares two principles that have guided their work for years: "know what you have when you see it" and "know when to quit." He also explains why they deliberately avoid making decisions on the first day of a site visit, allowing time for ideas to evolve and egos to stay out of the process.
The discussion then turns to challenging routing projects including Kapalua, Wicker Point, The Kingsley Club and Friars Head, with Bill sharing the story of how cutting through a dune helped unlock the routing at Friars Head. He also reflects on Pacific Dunes, Tom Doak's influence and the humility that comes from seeing another course and asking, "Could we have done this?"
Bill talks about the relationship between architects and owners, why he looks for interesting sites and clients who provide the freedom to create something different, and shares memorable stories from projects including Friars Head and Te Arai Links.
He also discusses returning to completed courses and the importance of continuity, particularly with superintendents who understand the original design intent. Colorado Golf Club provides a great example of how a course can evolve when that philosophy is embraced.
It's a fascinating insight into the process of one of golf's most influential architects, covering natural landscapes, routing, design-build, collaboration, ownership and the importance of simply spending time on the land.
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