Below is an interview with Larry Packard, legendary course designer. Best known for his course creations at Innisbrook Resort in Florida, where the Copperhead Course is a favorite on the PGA TOUR, and The Eagle Ridge Resort in Illinois, Larry Packard has designed and worked on over 600 golf courses throughout his career.
Packard began his career in golf course architecture in 1946 with an entry-level position in the firm of the famous course architect Robert Bruce Harris where he got to know already accomplished architect Robert Trent Jones. By 1970 Packard was President of the American Society of Golf Course Architects where he made significant expansions to the membership and was instrumental in changing the face of this organization while preparing its first written policies. Packard also established the American Society of Golf Course Architects and organized their first conference on the use of affluent water for golf courses.
During the next 50 years, Packard designed over 350 new golf courses and did redesigns on over 250 existing courses with his work reaching throughout the world including Egypt, Japan, China, South Korea, El Morrow (Island off the coast of Venezuela), Guatemala and Costa Rica, in addition to the United States. In 2002, Packard worked with author Mickey Rathbun to write a book on key parts of his life and work entitled "Double Doglegs and Other Hazards."
The following are a few traditional and non traditional golf centric questions that I love to ask influential people in the golf industry.
What is your favorite golf destination and why? That's impossible! There are so many great courses and for many different reasons. There is a very good reason why I made Innisbrook my home for so many years. You get four great courses here that are all very different and unique and there is no better setting in Florida. Copperhead can host the PGA TOUR and be tough for them, but you and I can also enjoy a round on this same course from a different tee position. It's all in the design.
If you could golf with anyone in the world who would round out your dream 4 some. I would want to play golf again with my first wife of 51 years and the mother of my children, Dorothy Seddon.
If you could change one thing about the game, what would it be? Golf is supposed to be fun. The average player needs to learn to just enjoy the game and not worry so much about the score.
What is your proudest accomplishment Toda,y I couldn't be more proud to be here celebrating my 100th Birthday with my family.
Special thanks to Ramona Hurley, Media Relations at Innisbrook, A Salamander Golf & Spa Resort
