He has designed such top courses as Finca Cortesín, Santana, La Reserva de Sotogrande, La Cala, Valle Romano… One of the most prestigious golf course designers in Europe, the North American has lived on the Costa del Sol for many years, having been sent by his teacher and mentor, Robert Trent Jones – “I think because he didn’t like my moustache…”

When Robert Trent Jones had completed Las Brisas and Sotogrande and was about to start work on Mijas Golf, he decided to open an office on the Costa del Sol and he sent you here. It’s now been 42 years and you’re still here. What is it about this place that captivates you so much?

More than anything, the people. I did not speak a word of Spanish on arrival but anywhere I went people were always polite and kind and they made an effort to understand what I was saying. I have since learned some Spanish but people continue to be polite at the imperfections in my Spanish. I have often told people that when I arrived I did not like fish nor olives and the sea was of little interest to me. Forty-two years on I now like olives and, yes, my small house does have a lovely view over the Mediterranean.

The crisis has had a serious effect on real estate construction in Spain. You are one of the most prestigious designers in Europe, but is the crisis also affecting you professionally, or do you not lack work?

Yes, absolutely, it has affected me and virtually every other architect I know. I am finishing, albeit slowly, two courses in Morocco and I have two projects in Cyprus awaiting their final approvals. I have serious doubts that I will ever have the opportunity to do another course here in Andalucía. Apart from the construction crisis itself, I am a firm believer that countries do not recover from recessions by raising taxes.

What is the first thing a golf course designer should take into consideration when dealing with a new project?

The first contact with a new project is invariably with the developer. First impressions are important to me in this regard and if a certain chemistry is absent I may find it difficult to proceed. Technically, it is the land itself: its size, its topographical relief, its general setting. I have been fortunate enough in the past to be able to turn down projects where I didn\'t think I could do a satisfactory course, regardless of the money involved.

Do you have a well-defined design style, a distinctive characteristic that is apparent in all your creations?

I suppose it would be the form or outline of my bunkers. It is a style I copied from the bunkers done by Mr. Jones early in his career in America, so I can\'t really claim the style as my own. In the past five or 10 years I have noticed quite a few other American architects using similar bunker outlines. I would prefer if clients would typify my courses by their routing and adaptation to the land. This is not so readily noticeable as the shape of the bunkers, though far more important.

Apart from what you have designed yourself, is there any other golf course in Andalucía you particularly like?

Perry Dye\'s course at San Roque exhibits many of the unique characteristics of the Dye family designs. Technically I think it is a very good course, albeit a bit too difficult for most average players. I was sorry to see Olazábal\'s course stopped due to the economic crisis. It was next door to La Reserva so I was familiar with the terrain. I had every expectation that it would be among the best on the Coast.

Bearing in mind all the new technology in clubs and balls, has golf course design changed much over the past four decades since you began in the business?

The new technology has improved the game for the average player. The problem is that it has improved exponentially the game for the pros: 6,800 metres is not today a long course for the pros. Today such courses take up vast amounts of land for the use of very few players. One of the positive aspects of the decreto is limiting the amount of irrigation water that can be used on new courses and generally the restriction of a minimum 70 hectares for new tourist golf courses is reasonably generous. Fairway bunker placement is probably the most obvious change in the design of longer holes. I started out with Mr. Jones locating fairway bunkers at 220-240 metres. Today\'s pros are not particularly bothered by bunkers at 280 metres.

Have you had to battle much with golf course developers in order to impose your design criteria?

Happily, most developers I have worked with have known me by reputation or by the courses I have done and have given me a reasonably free hand to do what I think best. On the other hand, many developers here in Europe, unlike those in America, do not play golf and it has sometimes been difficult explaining certain things to them. The main argument is usually over the amount of land to be taken up by the golf course. These arguments are usually resolved early on, perhaps to no-one\'s complete satisfaction, but from there on they generally don\'t become too involved.

What would you say to golfers from other countries to encourage them to come and check out the Costa del Sol’s courses?

Foremost would be the fact that some of the finest golf courses in Europe are located here on the Costa del Sol. Personally I believe that the top courses here are overall better than the top courses in the Algarve. Obviously a year-round climate is an important factor. Provided the quality of the courses is maintained and the service continues to improve, I see no reason why the Costa del Sol should not remain the prime golf destination in Europe.