THE TEAM
ROD WHITMAN has designed world-class golf courses in Canada, the United States, Europe, and Asia. He started his career in golf course architecture working for Pete Dye. Further, Rod has long assisted the firm of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw (Coore & Crenshaw) on the construction side of their designs.
Rod launched his Canadian career with the design of Wolf Creek Golf Club in Ponoka, which opened in 1983. His designs are heralded as among the best in the country. Every one of his courses in Canada have held spots in the Top 100 Canadian Courses. Most significantly, his design for the first course at Cabot Links is regarded as one of the Top 100 golf course designs in the world!
Like his mentors, Pete Dye and Bill Coore, Whitman understands the importance of detailed fieldwork. Rod spends an extraordinary amount of time on-site throughout the development of his golf course designs and continues to personally carry out the most important shaping work to ensure the details are correct.
DAVE AXLAND received a degree in Agronomy and Turf Management from Kansas State University in 1983. Under the supervision of golf course architect Bill Coore, Dave got his start in golf course design during the creation of Kings Crossing Golf & Country Club in Texas. Soon after, Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw partnered to form Coore & Crenshaw. Since that time, Dave has worked on many of their top projects. Dave was one of the lead shapers at Sand Hills Golf Club in Nebraska, Golf Digest’s highest ranked modern golf course.
Since it was founded in 1989, Dave has been a partner in the firm Bunker Hill Golf Inc. with his friend Dan Proctor. The firm is best known for their sensitive restoration work, as well as their natural and rugged new build designs (most notably Wild Horse Golf Club in Nebraska).
Dave’s friendship with Rod Whitman dates back more than 20 years, as both men worked to create such Coore & Crenshaw gems as Friar’s Head and Old Sandwich. In fact, Dave shaped for Rod during the construction of Blackhawk Golf Club in 2002 and acted as project manager at Cabot Links during its development between 2009 and 2012.
KEITH CUTTEN MLA, MCIP, RPP has worked with Rod Whitman for almost two decades. Keith cut his teeth at Sagebrush Golf Club in 2007, and has since assisted with the construction of Cabot Links in Inverness, and the recent renovation of the historic Algonquin Golf Course in St. Andrews By-the-Sea, NB; among other projects. Keith, like his mentors, is well versed on all forms of construction equipment.
In addition to having achieved a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Design, and his professional designation as a Registered Professional Planner, Keith has also attained a Master of Landscape Architecture degree. Keith’s writing, graphic and presentation skills combine well to showcase the knowledge of his mentors (and now partners).
As a golf historian, Keith has published several articles in various media outlets. In November 2018, Keith released his first book, titled The Evolution of Golf Course Design. The book has been very well received. Keith also serves on the Board of Directors for the Stanley Thompson Society.