Scott Macpherson heads up an award-winning international golf course design company based in Edinburgh, Scotland. Specialising in bespoke designs, Scott aims to create fun, inspired and attractive designs that are environmentally responsible, provide an engaging golfing experience for all golfers, and satisfy the business needs of his clients.
Education and Early Work
Scott earned an honours degree in Horticulture and won a scholarship in 1991 to study landscape architecture University of California – Davis where he specialised in environmentally sensitive golf course design. Having worked for Peter Thomson in Melbourne, Scott took employment with US designer Denis Griffiths and was the on-site golf course architect for the two golf courses in St Andrews known now as Fairmont St Andrews.
Solo Course Design
After starting his own golf design company in 2004, Scott Macpherson Golf Design Ltd, his first commission was to design a new course in Newcastle, UK, for SAGE founder Sir Graham Wylie. After completing the Colt Course – designed in the style of Harry Colt – Scott was regarded as one of the best young architects ‘under 40’ in the world.
Scott continues to promote environmentally sustainable design. He consults with Golf’s Environmental Organisation in North Berwick and won an Encore Award for his environmental design work in New Zealand.
Penmanship
Scott has also penned two books. The first was perhaps the most complete history of the Old Course ever written. It has been endorsed by the St Andres Links Trust and is called: St Andrews The Evolution of the Old Course - The Impact on Golf of Time, Tradition & Technology. He also wrote the book: Golf's Royal Clubs which documents the relationship of the Royal Household with golf through the ages.
Scott Macpherson also peer-reviewed the now-iconic Old Course Map by Joe McDonnell and Jasper Miners in partnership with Evalu18.
Currently, Scott is consulting at Pyle and Kenfig Golf Club in Wales, Menaggio & Cadenabbia Golf Club in Italy, and the Royal Malta Golf Club.
