COMPANY HISTORY
Dave Thomas (1934 - 2013)
Dave Thomas Limited is a Manchester, UK based company, active in golf course design and golf course consultancy services. Ryder Cup player Dave Thomas formed the company in 1958 and professional golfer Paul Thomas has been Managing Director since leaving the European Tour in 1988.
The company has a wide experience of golf course development and a clear understanding of the golf market. Our client base includes multi national corporations from the hotel and tourism sector, international developers focused on residential components, golf course proprietors and golf club managers and course operators.
Projects have been undertaken from elaborate tournament courses purpose built to attract major championships to membership club courses, nine-hole courses, golf academies and driving ranges.
Our focus is in meeting the needs of the client and the project delivering challenging, attractive course design for experienced players with an appreciation of the wide range of players that golf must continue to attract.
During the 1950's and throughout the 1960's Dave Thomas was widely recognised as one of the top players competing in the UK and Continental Europe. He won several tournaments and national opens during this time. He represented GB & Ireland in the biennial Ryder cup Matches played against the United states on four occassions and played in the World Cup representing Wales eleven times. However, his record in the British Open marked his most significant golfing achievements in tieing and losing a 36 hole play off with Peter Thompson in 1958 and again finishing in second place behind winner Jack Nicklaus at Muirfield in 1966.
DESIGN PHILOSOPHY
As a professional golfer I have a clear understanding of how the game can be played at the highest level and our courses are designed to meet that challenge. Our designs are based on traditional ideas and concepts having played on the best courses in the British Isles, United States and around the world.
A golf course is a blend of ideas and emotions and it is an opportunity to create an enduring legacy on the landscape. It is important to have an appreciation of the wider setting and to understand how to adapt the exisiting features and terrain into the golf course for its maximum advantage.
The fundamental philosophy of our course designs is to produce a test of golf that will challenge players of all abilities, enhance the enjoyment of their golf experience and to increase their level of interest in the game and the course they play. The principle for design remains the same for championship, resort, private membership or public courses. I believe all golfers must be presented with a visual challenge and the opportunity to determine a strategy for playing the course depending upon individual ability.
