Interview With Raymond Hearn President & Founder Raymond Hearn Golf Course Designs, Inc. By Brian Weis

Below is an interview with Raymond Hearn, the President & Founder at Raymond Hearn Golf Course Designs, Inc. . The following are a few traditional and non traditional golf centric questions that I love to ask influential people in the golf industry.

Can you provide our readers a brief biography? I am a member of the American Society of Golf Course Architects and have been practicing the art and science of golf course architecture for 27 years. 75% of my business is restoration, renovation and remodeling of existing courses in the USA. The remaining 25% is new course design overseas. I have bachelor degrees from MSU in Landscape Architecture with my emphasis area in Golf Course Architecture and Land Planning. My other four year degree is in Turfgrass Science with a minor in Soil Science. I also teach a very popular golf course design seminar for individuals who what to learn more about golf course design. In my redesign or new design work, I am referred to as a throw back to golf course designers from the classical era of golf course design.

When did you start golfing and who introduced you to the game? I started golfing at the age of 12. I started golfing when I started caddying at the Country Club of Detroit where I was awarded the prestigious Evans Golf Scholarship to MSU. My foundest memory was golfing with my father growing up. He was a bad golfer but we loved the time together on the golf course.

What is your current home course? I have honorary memberships at all the courses I have designed (see www.rhgd.com). I play most at Macatawa legends CC here in Holland since it is 10 minutes from my office.

To date, what is your proudest golf accomplishment? I am proud of each and every course I have designed or redesigned in my 27 year career.

What is your biggest golf pet peeve on or off the course? The slow growth of the game of golf. But I have a partial solution as is appearing in golf magazines around the world, please see http://europe.nxtbook.com/nxteu/tudorrose/bydesign_2012fall/index.php cover and then pages 8 - 11. This will revolutionize the game of golf providing options to introduce new players while still respecting the great game and its traditions.

What is your favorite club in your bag and why? My wedges as the short game can save you when all else is failing.

What is your favorite golf destination? Designer bias: :) My Michigan Courses My Illinois Courses

What course is on your bucket list that you have not played yet? Augusta National as I have already played most of the Top 100.

If you woke up tomorrow and could play one course you played before, where would you play? Three choices: Royal County Down in Ireland Cypress Point in California Mistwood Golf Club in Illinois

If you could change one aspect, rule or thing about golf, what would it be and why? Make it cost less to play public courses as this would surely grow the game.

Dream foursome (living)? Myself, Phil M. Tiger W. and Jack N.

Dream foursome (living or dead)? Myself, Donald Ross, Alsiter MacKenzie and CB MacDonald.