Gil Hanse
A hands-on builder and the busiest architect of the modern era, known for restoration work at L.A. North and Oakland Hills South, as well as for a growing portfolio of original designs, including the Olympic Course in Rio, Streamsong Black, and Ohoopee Match Club.
August 12, 1963, New York
The Park in West Palm Beach Is a Model for Great Municipal Golf
Gil Hanse Talks Municipal Golf
Bones Caddies For Top Junior Luke Colton vs Andy | Digging Into Design | Presented by Johnnie-O
After receiving his undergraduate degree from the University of Denver in 1985, Gil Hanse earned his Master’s in Landscape Architecture from Cornell University in 1989. While at Cornell, he received the William Frederick Dreer Award in 1987 — the same award Tom Doak had earned five years prior — and spent a year studying golf course architecture in Great Britain and Ireland.
Hanse went on to become an associate and then design partner for Doak's Renaissance Golf Design. He founded his own firm, Hanse Golf Course Design, in 1993 and was joined by his current design partner, Jim Wagner, in 1995.
Early on in his career, Hanse established his footing with a couple of new-build opportunities, but he really made his name with his renovation and restoration work, particularly at Los Angeles Country Club’s North Course. Winning the job to build the Olympic Course for the 2016 Games in Brazil then positioned him to do more original work. Right now, the firm balances consulting jobs, where it is the undisputed industry leader, with new-build commissions.
Hanse’s notable work includes…
Original Designs: Boston Golf Club (2005), Craighead at Crail Golfing Society (1998), Fields Ranch East at PGA Frisco (2022), Olympic Golf Course (2016), Streamsong Black (2017)
Restorations: Aronimink Golf Club (2016), the North Course at Los Angeles Country Club (2006), Merion Golf Club (2014), Oakmont Country Club (2020), The Country Club at Brookline (2009), Winged Foot Golf Club – East and West (2013-14, 2016-17), Yale Golf Course (2021)
Renovations: Colonial Country Club (2017), Pinehurst No. 4 (2016), Spanish Bay (2027), TPC Boston (2007)
As Doak did for him, Hanse has worked with and mentored several younger architects, such Kyle Franz, Blake Conant, Kye Goalby, and Angela Moser.
Ohoopee Match Club
Ohoopee’s ground is subdued compared to that of many great courses, but Gil Hanse’s design creates variety through inventive greens and hazards
Ohoopee Match Club
Rustic Canyon Golf Course
Rustic Canyon's firm, appropriately rustic presentation and the sheer ingenuity of Gil Hanse's hole designs make it one of the top budget courses in the country
Rustic Canyon Golf Course
CapRock Ranch
This recent Gil Hanse creation takes players on a dramatic journey between rolling sand dunes and steep canyon edges, deserving mention as one of the greatest courses of the modern era
CapRock Ranch
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