The Golf Course Atchitect Paul O’Brien MEIGCA died on 20th December 2020 following a protracted illness.
After graduating in Geography and Economics, and subsequently qualifying as a Geodetic (Land) Surveyor, Paul began his career in golf design as an intern with Jeff Howes in 1997.
Paul credited Jeff with igniting his passion for golf course architecture and he stayed at Jeff Howes Golf Design for 16 years before joining (re)GOLF as a partner in 2013.
Paul’s proudest design achievements, amongst many, were Gowran Park in County Kilkenny and Naas Golf Club in County Kildare. Gowran Park was Paul’s first foray into the golf course design business back in 2001, when he was an on-site design coordinator. Naas Golf was the first project he undertook as (re)GOLF.
His enquiring mind was evident in how he revelled in finding solutions to problems, preferring the challenge of renovation work on an existing course to the less satisfying blank canvas of a green field site.
Paul’s enjoyment in his profession came from travel, experiencing new cultures and meeting people as excited as he was about creating or maximising the potential of a golf course.
Paul was a very popular and active EIGCA Member who will be sorely missed by all his friends and colleagues, at EIGCA and the wider golf industry. We send our sincere condolences to Paul’s wife and young son.
“It was clear from the very first time I met Paul that he loved the game of golf and had a fantastic sense of humour. Those attributes never waned, in good times and bad. Dear Paul, I do hope for God’s sake, that when you play golf up there you get relief when you land in a divot. Paul made a lot of friends in the golf business and he will be sadly missed. May he rest in peace.” Jeff Howes of Jeff Howes Golf Design
“We have lost a friend and a true professional, but more importantly, as Paul was a true family-man his family has lost a caring father and husband. It is a massive loss to us as Paul always strived to make us better and more professional. He loved the game of golf and had a passion to help others. Our hearts are broken, and we will forever honour him and his passionate approach to work. We are honoured to have him as a founder of our company but more importantly that we have been fortunate enough to call him our friend. Our thoughts are with his family in these difficult times.” Jeff Lynch & Christian Lundin, EIGCA members and colleagues from (re)GOLF
“Paul was such a nice guy with an engaging personality. I am deeply shocked. My thoughts are with his family, to whom I would like to express my most heartfelt condolences. Paul is a huge loss for our EIGCA family and we will treasure his memory.” Christoph Städler, EIGCA President