Martin Hawtree

Martin Grant Hawtree represents the third generation of a family active in golf architecture since 1912. Born in 1947, the twin son of Frederick William Hawtree and grandson of Frederick George, he grew up in an environment where plans, construction, greenkeeping and golf history were everyday subjects. After education he joined the family practice in the early 1970s and assumed control in 1984. This continuity gave him access to exceptional archives and direct knowledge of almost a century of British course development. Hawtree has specialised in an especially difficult task: modernising great historic courses without erasing their character. He has worked at Royal Birkdale, Carnoustie, Lahinch, Portmarnock, Royal Aberdeen and numerous Open venues. Assignments often require studying early plans, recovering lost forms, restoring strategic lines and adapting courses to modern distances. The task is not simply adding tees or bunkers; he seeks to understand original intent and translate it into contemporary conditions of play, maintenance and championship golf. His style is recognisable in irregular bunkers with powerful but natural edges and in precise attention to the relationship between landform and visibility. He has also created entirely new courses. Trump International Golf Links Scotland, among the dunes north of Aberdeen, is his most publicised contemporary project. Its routing follows major dune corridors and demonstrates his ability to combine spectacle with coherent links logic. Tarandowah in Canada and various international commissions complete the portfolio. Martin Hawtree has also played an important institutional role. As president of the British architects’ organisation, he helped develop the European alliances that eventually produced the EIGCA. In 2024 the Institute presented him with an Outstanding Contribution Award. Some projects have generated debate, particularly on environmentally sensitive or highly commercial sites, but his historical expertise is widely recognised. He embodies continuity: using knowledge accumulated over three generations to protect old qualities while preparing courses for future realities.