Glenelg Golf Club has been completely reshaped through a long, multi-year redevelopment that in 2021 brought architects, Neil Crafter and Ryan Van Der Veen together to modernize the course while protecting the character that makes it memorable. Neil Crafter started the process back in the late 1990's and more recently, with Ryan from 2021 to it's recent completion and opening. The guiding design philosophy and a big part of this story is to challenge golfers through strategy and interesting green complexes rather than sheer length, creating holes that reward smart decision-making. That approach also includes embracing "quirk" as an intentional design element—features that give the course personality and make individual holes stand out.

Sustainability sits at the center of the club's future direction. A major upgrade to the irrigation system has improved water efficiency and course conditioning, while a broader push to integrate natural landforms and native vegetation reinforces environmental responsibility. Reducing the number of bunkers has also been a strategic choice, aimed at improving playability without diluting the tactical challenge.

Throughout the process, Glenelg has relied heavily on member engagement, using feedback to refine decisions and maintain alignment with the club community. As a result, the course remains one of Australia's highest-regarded golfing experiences—challenging, enjoyable, and now better adapted for long-term environmental and design sustainability.

https://www.glenelggolf.com/cms/

https://www.golfstrategies.com.au/

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We're really pleased to welcome Paul Jansen to The Greenprint. Paul has built an impressive career in the world of golf architecture, and we kick things off by exploring his early journey in the industry, including a formative stint with Faldo Design.

From there, we dive into two of his standout ventures: @himalayasgolf and @golfinsmallspaces, both developed in collaboration with Sir Nick Faldo. Paul shares insights into the growing demand for innovative short-game practice areas, short courses, and state-of-the-art putting greens. His designs focus on thoughtful detail and authentic playability, allowing golfers to train in conditions that closely mirror real-world scenarios.

We then shift to the spectacular Ponta do Pargo project in Madeira — a long-term passion for Paul. Leighton recently visited the site during the GCAE conference and had the privilege of touring the in-progress course alongside Paul and Sir Nick themselves. Paul explains the dramatic nature of the landscape, the design opportunities it offers, and the challenges the team has navigated along the way. Set to open in 2027, Ponta do Pargo is shaping up to be something truly special.

Learn more about Paul's work at Himalayas Golf: https://himalayasgolf.com/

A big thanks to our Show Partner - Toro

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Brought to you by Toro

In this episode, we head to the striking Island of Madeira, an autonomous region of Portugal located off the northwest coast of Africa. While Madeira isn't traditionally thought of as a golf destination, it carries nearly 100 years of golfing history and features three courses across two islands—Palheiro, Santo da Serra, and Porto Santo. The islands have also played host to the Madeira Open on the European Tour for many years. And with a fourth course under construction at Ponta do Pargo, Madeira's golf future looks brighter than ever. (Stay tuned for an upcoming episode on that spectacular project.)

This episode focuses on "Golf in Madeira"—both the golf experience itself and the company of the same name.
Our first guest, Andre Rodriguez, owner of Golf in Madeira, shares insights into:

• The unique character of golf on the island

• What makes each course distinct

• Why Madeira offers much more than a stand-alone golf holiday

Beyond golf, Andre highlights Madeira's incredible range of activities, including whale and dolphin watching, surfing, hiking, mountain biking, and more.

We're then joined by Henrique Duarte of Irrimac, the Toro distributor for the region, and Ricardo Abreu, CEO of Santo da Serra. They take us through the story of Santo da Serra's history and the extraordinary challenge they faced when trying to create an irrigation solution for the course—and the surrounding community—when it was believed no workable solution existed. Together with Toro, they found one.

If you're searching for an exciting, evolving, and authentic golf destination, Madeira deserves a spot on your map.

https://www.golfinmadeira.com/

https://www.palheironatureestate.com/palheiro-golf.html

https://santodaserragolf.com/

https://portosantogolfe.com/

A big thanks to our Show Partner - Toro

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https://www.golfclubtalk.uk/the-green-print/

https://www.instagram.com/thegreenprintgolf/

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We're really lucky to be joined by Clyde Johnson of Cunnin' Golf Design. Clyde brings an extensive knowledge of golf course design and construction, built through his time working with Tom Doak at Renaissance Golf Design and, for the past decade, through his own practice.

Learning from and collaborating with some of the best in the business, Clyde takes great pride in crafting natural golf courses on great sites—and in helping clubs enhance their existing layouts through thoughtful master planning.

In this episode, we explore Clyde's career journey, as well as some of the courses that have shaped him—and those he's helped shape in return. These include:

• Tara Iti in New Zealand

• The Hotchkin at Woodhall Spa

• St Enodoc in England

• Old Petty at Cabot Highlands, where Clyde served as lead designer/associate

This is a great conversation with one of the most insightful and talented voices in modern golf course design.

https://www.taraiti.com/

https://www.woodhallspagolf.com/hotchkin_course

https://www.st-enodoc.co.uk/

https://cabothighlands.com/golf/old-petty

A big thanks to our Show Partner - Toro

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In this newly titled edition of On The Tee with Golf Course Architecture magazine, we're joined once again by Toby Ingleton to explore a range of exciting golf course projects—some recently completed, others underway, and a few still on the horizon—all from around the world.

We kick things off at The Wisley, where work has just been completed on the Garden 9. Toby recently visited and shares his insights on the redesign and its impact.

From there, we move to The Rock!—a brand-new 9-hole Par 3 course with big ambitions to join the ranks of the world's leading short courses. Designed by Lassi Pekka Tilander, this discussion opens up a broader chat about the growing importance and appeal of Par 3 courses.

Next, we head to a more intriguing destination: Paragraph Tabori in Georgia—a new Golfplan-designed 9-hole course that adds to the country's golfing landscape alongside Tbilisi Hills.

We also take a brief look at Shura Links in Saudi Arabia, OCM's new design contract at Grange West in Adelaide, and finish with the incredible Rodeo Dunes in Colorado—possibly the next big golf destination!

🎥 Don't miss the Skratch video that tells the story behind Rodeo Dunes.

Subscribe to Golf Course Architecture magazine!

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Leighton is once again joined by golf course architect Thad Layton of Thad Layton Design to explore a recent architectural study trip.

Fresh off an incredible 20+ course tour of southern England and the Midlands, Thad shares the motivations behind the trip, how he organized it, and the design lessons he's bringing back to his own work. Many architects make this journey to the UK, but the focus here was on courses of southern England—some designed by the most notable names in golf architecture, and others by architects less well known but equally influential. The conversation also explores the huge variety of golf course styles he encountered along the way, from downland and links to the classic English heathland.

We then walk through a good number of the courses Thad played including a few of his favourites (this was Thad's order but we work in reverse in the interview):

Sunningdale, West Hill, Berkshire, Addington, Worplesdon, Woking, Swinley Forest, Liphook, St. George's Hill, Huntercombe, Walton Heath (Old), West Sussex, Rye, Cinque Ports, Royal St. George's, North Foreland, Royal Worlington & Newmarket, Brancaster, Woodhall Spa, Hollinwell, Little Aston, Pennard, Cleeve Hill, Minchinhampton, Painswick

Here's Thad's original appearance on The Greenprint - episode 9. Check it out!

https://thadlaytondesign.com/

A big thanks to our Show Partner - Toro

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We're joined on this architecturally focused episode by Mike Cocking of OCM. OCM have been steadily building their reputation in the architecture world, particularly across Australia and more recently in the USA.

Mike talks about the team's transition into the US market after many standout projects in Australia, such as Peninsula Kingswood and Lonsdale Links. That move began with Shady Oaks in Dallas–Fort Worth, and despite the challenges of COVID, it ultimately led to one of the game's most significant projects: the redevelopment of Medinah No. 3.

From there, the conversation dives into two fascinating OCM projects in America: Fall Line in Georgia, which opened in 2024, and Tepetonka in Minnesota, currently under construction and set to open in 2026. Fall Line is especially interesting for its bold concept of utilising two distinct design traditions—the Melbourne Sandbelt and the London Heathlands—over two distinctly different golf courses. Mike explains the techniques used to achieve the result, including finding the right playing surfaces, vegetation and design aspects such as width and tree removal.

We also touch on "Sandy Links" on Melbourne's Sandbelt and right next to Royal Melbourne. It is an innovative course that is also home to Golf Australia and the PGA.

Mike is not only a talented designer but also a thoughtful voice in golf architecture. He shares insights on how courses function, reflect their environments, and shape the playing experience, offering a rare window into the creative side of modern design.

OCM

Check out the Hole Flyovers at Tepetonka:

https://www.tepetonka.com/

A big thanks to our Show Partner - Toro

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In partnership with Toro, we're delighted to be joined by Andrew Wilson, Director of Agronomy at Bethpage State Park Golf Course, for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to prepare a Ryder Cup venue. Together with Mike Hadley, Course Superintendent of the famed Black Course, they will ensure the course is tournament ready, providing the perfect stage for one of golf's greatest competitions.

From managing turf under climatic challenges to assembling a world-class team and ensuring equipment is Ryder Cup ready, Andrew and Mike share what goes into getting the course in perfect condition—often before the sun even rises.

We also dive into the rewarding moments that come with such a prestigious role, and what it truly means to host golf's premier team event on one of the world's toughest courses.

If you're a fan of championship golf—or just curious about the incredible preparation behind the Ryder Cup—this episode is guaranteed to get your competitive juices flowing.

A big thanks to our Show Partner - Toro

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https://www.bethpagegolfcourse.com/

https://www.golfclubtalk.uk/the-green-print/

https://www.instagram.com/thegreenprintgolf/

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