Golf Course Architecture Magazine April 2025 Back Issue

The April 2025 issue of Golf Course Architecture features the new par-three fifteenth at Royal Birkdale in Southport, England, on the cover. The new hole is one of a series of changes being overseen by Mackenzie & Ebert ahead of the 2026 Open. Neil Cruickshank, chair of course at the club, tells us more.

One of M&E’s principals, Martin Ebert, is also the subject of our main interview for the issue. He tells us about his career journey, and how the firm led by he and partner Tom Mackenzie has developed its enviable portfolio, which includes eight of the ten Open venues.

For our main feature article, GCA editor Adam Lawrence profiles some of the best artworks of golf courses in the game’s history. Tripp Davis, Thad Layton and others discuss the influence of artists like Harry Rountree, and golf course architects including Tom Simpson and Mike Strantz. The feature also includes a gallery of artwork, including pieces by Charles Lees, Sir John Lavery, Don Placek and Ian Andrew.

We have reports from new and renovated golf courses at Maggie Hathaway in South Los Angeles and Apogee Club in Florida, we hear about the development of Benin’s first 18-hole course, plus renovations at Waldorf Astoria GC in Florida and Golf de Cannes Mougin in southern France.

There’s much more too, including an interview with Dave Axland, insight from Mike Gorman and Trent Jones of RTJ II on resort course development, and a round-up of the latest golf course development news around the globe.