Golf course architect Forrest Richardson, who has dozens of design credits including Baylands Golf Links in California and The Hideout in Utah, is taking on Jeffrey A. Danner as a design partner.
The former Forrest Richardson & Associates has been rebranded to Richardson | Danner Golf Course Architects, with offices in Phoenix and northern California.
Danner previously worked for Greg Norman Golf Design, Lohmann Golf Designs and Golfplan.
“Our personalities, skill sets and approach to things really complement each other, which provides a huge value to clients,” Danner said in a media release announcing the partnership. “We offer a combination of rich and diverse experience.
“Certainly, Forrest has seen just about everything, but I’ve seen a lot, too, in my 16 years in the business, especially with different cultures, climates and site conditions around the world. It gives a client the best bang for the buck when you have two people on the design team who can bounce ideas off each other. It’s a win-win to have that type of collaborative environment.”
Richardson, the president of the American Society of Golf Course Architects through October and the author of five books on design, said he has no plans to step away from his firm after 32 years.
“It’s a goal we’ve had for several years, to bring the right person aboard,” Richardson said in the media release. “There’s strength in having two golf course architects coming together to build upon a shared passion that golf must be fun, inclusive and sustainable.
“It’s especially effective when one golf course architect is older and has ‘seen it all,’ and when the other is experienced, but younger, with a fresh perspective. Jeff fits the bill perfectly. He’s a young guy, but he has already done so much. We see great promise with Jeff and his abilities to create a bigger and better offering for our clients and the world of golf.”
Richardson said he hopes to continue the firm’s emphasis on building courses with an eye on environmental awareness, access and inclusion, the release said.
“I believe that golf needs to be more inclusive,” Danner said. “I’ve always been excited to be working on public-access courses, probably because I grew up around public golf. Sustainable golf is more than environmental stewardship. Without inclusivity and golfer participation, golf isn’t a viable business. It all goes hand in hand.”
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