Tom Doak
Tom Doak is best known as the architect of four of the world’s top 100 courses: Pacific Dunes in Oregon, Ballyneal in Colorado, Tasmania’s Barnbougle Dunes, and Cape Kidnappers in New Zealand. He has designed over 30 other courses across the world.
Born in 1961, he grew up in Connecticut before enrolling at Cornell University where he would study Design and Landscape Architecture. After winning the school’s horticulture and floriculture award upon graduation, he was guided by Pete Dye. A former Golf World Architect of the Year, Dye would help Tom Doak explore a variety of conditions and landscapes, including the ‘hands-on’ training of driving a bulldozer.
This would go on to inform Doak’s self-described ‘minimalist’ outlook. Doak’s finest work lies on sandy soil. The legendary Alister Mackenzie was a huge inspiration, his utilization of the natural land would become a signature of Doak’s own. Mackenzie’s Santa Cruz home course, Pasatiempo, would end up purchased by Doak – who maintained its world top 100 status.
Now residing in Michigan in the United States, his main occupation is authoring golfing books. Renowned for their honesty and passion, four have been published. The latest chronicles his architecting of Pacific Dunes.
Website: https://www.renaissancegolf.com/