It's been almost 40 years since young Jerry Matthews first set foot on a golf course site with his famed architect father, Bruce Matthews. The business of golf course design and construction has surely undergone some sea and ground changes. Instead, we just jumped in feet first into the site and figured out what best worked for a golf course. As one of the state's most prolific architects whose signature is on hundreds of courses, Matthews is an excellent source on how the business of design has evolved over the last several decades. Even though the business is changing, Matthews is not standing still.
Art is what one does and sees on the site while technology is what one does back at the office.
And Matthews readily admits that the design business is shifting more and more to the technical side. Spencer was coming off five educational but hard-scrabble years competing on the Senior PGA Tour and was looking for a new career opportunity. At the same time, Matthews was looking for a fresh start and perspective in a fast-changing and competitive business. But I realized someone with Denny Spencer's golfing experience and slant would be very good for me and our business. My primary experience in golf course design has been aimed at the average, public player.