Successful renovation projects – An architects viewpoint

Queen's Suite 1

9:00AM - 5:00PM, 19 Jan 2026

This collaborative class will look at how the elements of a project come together to result in a successful renovation project. The class will demonstrate how greenkeepers and architects work together as the dream team, aided by contractors in key areas of the project. Golf Course architects James Edwards and Gareth Williams will lead the class and co-ordinate EIGCA partner companies who will provide expert input on areas such as agronomy and construction.

Learning outcomes

Effective ways to work with a golf course architect
What’s involved in the successful renovation of a golf course
The importance of teamwork between club, greenkeeper, architect and contractor
The consultants and contractors process and applying them to a project
Understanding the design process of an architect

Presented by:

Gareth Williams

Golf Course Architect GWD

With a background in landscape architecture, Gareth is a versatile golf course architect and land development professional with nearly twenty years international experience in golf course planning, design and project management in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. An in-house architect for much of his career, he now works as a consultant architect for clients including the R&A, Lobb+Partners and Faldo Design.

Continued professional development has seen him awarded a distinction in the European Institute of Golf Course Architects’ Vocational Qualification in Golf Course Design in 2015. Elected as a Full Member in 2020, he sat on EIGCA's Council, Chaired the Sustainability Committee 2019-22 and the R&A's GC2030 Initiative Working Party in that period. He continues professional development with EIGCA on the Sustainability and CPD Programmes.

A firm advocate of traditional golf course design philosophy, Gareth’s own work is also strongly guided by a clear commitment to sustainable design and a broad understanding of modern construction methods, and is committed to developing alternative forms of the game alongside more established ones. His passion for contemporary design and landscape remains an equally strong influence, whilst his ability and willingness to challenge perceived norms see him achieve balance between golf and modern development that is unique to every project.

James Edwards

Director EDI-Golf Ltd

A former professional golfer and buildings architect, in 1998 James Edwards began a career in golf course architecture. James qualified as a buildings architect at Greenwich University, and later studied golf architecture as part of the European Institute of Golf Course Architect's diploma programme. He spent 8 of his early professional years working for one of the UK's most experienced golf architects, Howard Swan where he worked on over 100 courses of varying characteristics in 20 countries. In 2009, Edwards Design International (EDI-Golf Ltd) was established. A UK based golf course architecture practice and academy design specialist brought a fresh focus on delivering dynamic golf solutions of all shapes and sizes to some of the leading Clubs, golfers, teachers and Institutions in the UK & Europe. James' experience and qualification to deliver is based solely on the cumulative time he invested on driving ranges and academies across the World during his playing career and the knowledge of what works and what doesn't. This information gathering has led to a deeper, more detailed understanding of the overall customer journey and what ultimately attracts the modern member and golf visitor.

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BTME 2026 Media Pack

Successful renovation projects – An architects viewpoint

Presented by:

Gareth Williams

James Edwards

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