Richie aims to preserve the game’s great courses
Most days, Richie Ramsay devotes his time to beating a golf course. But at night he’s consumed by the desire to build one.
Judging by the tide of online videos released by his peers on the European Tour, it appears that most professional golfers are bored and don’t know what to do with themselves during lockdown.
But deep-thinker Ramsay has long stood out from the rest, and it’s fair to say he’ll use this enforced downtime to work on the long game, as well as his short game.
Years from now, the Aberdonian sees his career path turning sharply, from competing to constructing, as a golf course architect.
Drawing upon decades of personal experience of playing on many of the best – and a few of the worst – championship golf courses in the world, the 36-year-old is already well-qualified to know what works and what doesn’t.
Yet Ramsay is realistic enough to know there is still much more to learn, which is why he has spent much of the last three years taking his work home with him.
“Golf course design is definitely something I’d be interested in doing,” said Ramsay. “But only when I’m ready to give it 100%.
“I’ve been researching this for three years, trying to build up my knowledge and, hopefully, I’ll have it by the time my own golf is ready to take a back seat.
“I don’t know the differences in soils, etc,
I’m not that technical. But from a design philosophy I understand what makes pros uncomfortable yet is still playable for amateurs. I think I’m quite good at that.
“We’re playing Pro-Ams every week, and I see how amateurs struggle and what makes me uncomfortable with tee shots in regards to where bunkers are.
“So I do my research. I go away after a day and think about the course’s design.
“It’s good to have another thing to focus on at night, rather than just thinking about my own game.
“I’ve read a lot about design going back to the 1920s, and have spoken to a lot of people – architects and greenkeepers – who advised me to play as many courses as you can and understand the design philosophy.
“I’ve even gone as far as studying the satellite images on Google Maps, looking along Scotland’s coast line and trying to find the dream spot to build a golf course.
“I actually looked at Dumbarnie in Fife (Scotland’s newest golf course, set to open later this year) about five years ago after I drove past there.
“But I’m more interested in the renovation of courses and making changes that still keep the tradition that was originally intended.
“At the moment, I’d love to be a consultant working with clubs to make the right changes. I’ve seen clubs spend a lot of money on guys who just destroy them, by taking away the character.
“Then they have to go back and redo all the work again. It’s a shame, especially on those old, traditional links courses.
“For more than a hundred years, some of these golf courses have been passed down from generation to generation.
“It’s the clubs’ duty to ensure the next generations have the same opportunity to enjoy some of the best golf courses in the world.”