In this episode of TurfNet’s Beyond the Green, sponsored by Molasses Kings, Scot Sherman, the lead architect at Love Golf Design discusses the firm’s restoration of the Links Course Bear Lakes Country Club in West Palm Beach, Florida.
The discussion covers how the Love Golf Design team is reinventing the Lakes Course, one-half of 36 holes designe by Jack Nicklaus, with the idea of creating an American links-style layout with properties like American Golf Links serving as inspiration.
Sherman, who brings more than three decades of professional course design experience to the table, reflects on his early career path. He explains that his journey began in college with a strong desire to enter the field, which led him to connect with local South Carolina golf architects John LaFoy and Tom Marzolf to learn the ropes.
The true turning point for Sherman occurred during a visit to Harbour Town Golf Links for the Nabisco Championship. Seeing Pete Dye’s iconic design features in person—specifically the deep pot bunker and ladder behind the 14th green—instantly inspired him to fully pursue golf course architecture.
