World number one Luke Donald steps into the course design world alongside IMG
Following in the footsteps of legendary golfers of the past and present, world number one, Luke Donald has now decided to step into his first course design venture with the International Management Group (IMG).
Donald will be joining the company’s design project for the first 18 holes at the Ba Na Hills Golf Club at Danang, Vietnam, which is poised to be one of the most beautiful courses in the country. Ba Na Hills provide a unique blend of tropical rain forest
and thick vegetation surrounding the area and will be far from any of the European or Mediterranean courses. The natural topography will surely test the skills and creative insight of the Englishman.
“To be able to work on my first ever golf course design at Ba Na Hills is a tremendous opportunity. We have a great site with good elevation change and incredible existing natural features including large trees, streams and mountain backdrops. I am really
happy how the current design is looking on paper and look forward to getting on site later this year to further refine the detailed design features. Working with a quality developer such as the Sun Group, is very exciting,” said an excited Donald.
Most of the prominent players in the past have tried their hands on course designing ventures but few were able to establish their names in the field. Nick Faldo, Jack Nicklaus and Greg Norman are the most prominent courses designers the sport has seen and
their layouts are scattered all over the globe reaching as far as China and Australia. Donald, however, will come in with a distinct advantage of his own.
The 33-year-old has a degree in Art Theory and Practice from the Northwestern University in USA and happens to be an excellent painter and pianist. Donald has had an interest in the course design for many years and now when he has reached the zenith of his
career, it will probably be the best time to try his luck in the multi-million dollar business.
Donald took over the former world number one Lee Westwood in last week’s BMW PGA Championship on the first playoff hole, when Westwood’s approach shot went wayward. He has been the most consistent of the players from the beginning of the season and has performed
marvelously well to achieve the title.
Donald opened the season with his immaculate win at the WGC Accenture Match Play Championship earlier in February where he defeated the then world number one Martin Kaymer. The Englishman considers his family, one-year-old daughter Elle and his wife Diane,
as the single most important driving catalyst behind his victory.
Tags: