The Danish golf course architect Caspar Grauballe, who has just finished working on the widely reviewed Trump International Golf Links Scotland, has decided to start his own company Golf Course Architecture by Caspar based in Denmark.
Caspar has worked as the Hawtree Ltd. representative and lead architect on projects in Scandinavia, Northern Europe, and in theFar Eastand explains: “I have been associated with Hawtree Ltd. for 15 fantastic years and I have had a terrific mentor in Martin Hawtree. After working almost full time for two years on the completion of Trump International Golf Links, Scotland, I believe it is time to start my own company.
“I have had the pleasure to work within all aspects of golf course architecture from small renovations and restorations to large scale new course projects across the world. My primary focus has been on historic and classic golf courses from the beginning of the 19th century and I have always been fascinated by the golf course architects from that time period especially Harry Colt, Alister MacKenzie, Hugh Alison, James Braid and Frederick G. Hawtree.”
Besides Trump International Golf Links, Caspar has together with Martin Hawtree been working on outstanding courses like Ballybunion, Portmarnock and Lahinch in Ireland; Royal Aberdeen in Scotland; Elisefarm and Vallda in Sweden; and Simon’s in Denmark, to mention a few.
The new company wishes to retain close working relations with Hawtree Ltd. so that it can serve clients under the Hawtree name. Caspar will be remembered as one of the architects behind Trump International Golf Links Scotland and his close collaboration with Donald Trump.
“Working with Donald Trump has been great. He has provided what can only be described as the perfect canvas to create a golf course on and given us almost free hands in designing the course,” says Caspar.
Talking about his close teamwork with Caspar, Donald Trump is quoted as saying: “I got to know Caspar during his years working with Martin Hawtree. Caspar is a dedicated and highly professional golf course architect and a master craftsman. He has an in depth understanding of the game of golf and what it takes to make a golf course that challenges and inspires every player, from the beginner to the best pro.
“He has the eye of an artist and at the same time the ability to create a spectacular course that looks natural in its environment. He has a strong ability to make the most of the site and expanding on that to take it to the highest level without losing the inherent benefit of that particular piece of land.
“He listens to ideas and gives professional and honest feedback on them. The feedback is always constructive and based on his strong experience combined with his relentless quest for the optimal playability and appearance of the course.
“Caspar will no doubt be one of his generation’s great golf course architects. I would strongly recommend Caspar Grauballe to anybody who is looking for an outstanding golf course architect.”
Golf Course Architecture by Caspar www.byCaspar.com