Recently, Scottie Scheffler gave an amazing performance and triumphed at the Arnold Palmer Invitational for the second time. He became the first world’s No. 1 to win at Bay Hill since 2009 as he carded a six-under 66 in the final round and won by five strokes.
Interestingly, Scheffler returns to TPC Sawgrass this week as the defending champion, and with Rory McIlroy‘s putter advice working for him, he might just defend his title. Other than winning and planning to defend his title, he is delving into other aspects of golf as well!
In a Q&A round with the PGA Tour, he mentioned his latest read that was related to golf course architecture. Is he planning to switch careers as a full-time golf course designer? Is he designing a course right now and planning to give competition to the likes of Tiger Woods and Greg Norman? He dished out the details!
When asked if he is reading anything good these days, Scheffler said, “I started George Thomas’ book on golf course architecture, and I’m helping do a golf course in Texas. I love George Thomas. I think he’s awesome. Back then, they were just so practical. It’s so good.” The book is a deep dive into golf course construction and strategy, and the author himself is one of the best American golf course architects.
USA Today via Reuters
Displaying a fascination with pursuing golf architecture, Scheffler admitted this is what he would like to do in the future. “I think it’s something that I would like to do more of in the future. I think it’s really interesting. I really do like the George Thomas book,” said the golfer. However, after a T10 finish at the Riviera, which was designed by his ideal architect Thomas, Scheffler confessed it is his least favorite but also his favorite. He described the course as “frustrating.” The golfer missed six birdies in the opening round at this course.
Additionally, Woods’s TGR Design also works towards designing golf courses. The golf legend established his legacy as an architect at age 32. The 15x major champion debuted as a course designer with Bluejack National, in Montgomery, Texas. He recently began the first phase of developing Marcella Club, an 18-hole championship course in Park City, Utah.
Certainly, the 27-year-old is following Woods’s steps in this context, which will surely challenge the legend’s ideas with his deep study and sharp observations. It will be clear after the completion of Scheffler’s first project.
Scottie Scheffler’s first design: Project Pine Ranch
The world number one is working on a completely new course, situated east of Dallas. However, he is not the only one involved in this project. It was first brought up in a conversation by Chet Williams, who also redid the Royal Oaks.
Scheffler met Williams when he used to visit the Royal Oaks, and he was approached by Williams with his design ideas. Williams asked the pro, and he decided to think about it. In the aftermath, Scheffler decided to see the property himself. “We went out and saw the property, and we were like, “Wow, this is really cool,” said the golfer. Hence, he decided to get involved and become a designer himself.
Certainly, Scottie Scheffler sees a win-win in being the world’s No. 1 and a course architect, but will he be able to rock these two together, or will he face certain troubles in managing the two? Only time will tell!
