Golf Architect Herbert Fowler was born in North London in 1856. A gifted natural athlete, Herbert excelled at most sports but particularly cricket. At the tender age of 22, he was made a partner of a banking firm.
During a business trip to Devon in 1879, Herbert first experienced golf at Westward Ho! Almost a decade later, after a successful cricket career, he would turn his attention to golf. After a visit to St Andrew’s, he became a member at the Royal and Ancient Golf Club and later the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, Muirfield.
Herbert Fowler was known for establishing natural-looking green sites and working backwards to the tee.
Bernard Darwin described Herbert Fowler as “perhaps the most daring and original of all golfing architects…”
Topography used to test with his courses following the contours of the land.
Bunkers were deep and hazards were concentrated around the greens as opposed to the fairway to test the tee shot.
Understated, simple and sparing with the use of hazards. Seldom were bunkers used in front of greens, rarely did he place them at the back of the green nor for aesthetic purposes. Strategic minimalism is no doubt part of what brought Simpson and Fowler together.