Background
Drew got his start in golf at Quail Creek Country Club in Robinson, Illinois, a former PGA tour stop during the late ‘60’s & early ‘70’s. He studied Landscape Architecture at the University of Kentucky, earning his degree in 1991, always with the goal of acquiring the skills to become a golf course architect.
Experience
In 1992, Drew took a design position with golf course architect, Arthur Hills. He quickly assumed full management of projects and became a well-recognized face of the firm and a highly respected golf industry practitioner. He was appointed a full partner of Hills’ firm in 1999 before earning acceptance as a member of the prestigous American Society of Golf Course Architects in 2001. During time spanning nearly 19 years, Drew collaborated with Arthur on over 30 new course designs and over 20 major renovations worldwide, including works at noted courses such as the Country Club of North Carolina in Pinehurst, Oakland Hills Country Club in Detroit, Oakmont Country Club in Pittsburgh and Congressional Country Club and Chevy Chase Club in Maryland, among many others.
Independence
In 2010, Drew established his own design practice (JDR), whose primary focus is to assist existing golf facilities who seek to make strategic improvements and plan for long-term success. As such, JDR is a boutique design practice that focuses on personal service, direct communication, well-planned Improvement Programs and enduring excellence. Drew builds and maintains strong, lasting, personal relationships with his clientele and strives to address their most pressing needs while providing lasting enjoyment for players. As a result, the majority of Drew’s work appointments are acquired through direct referrals.
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Philosophy
To design or reinstate course elements that authenticate the play and experience, and ultimately balance the needs of the user, operator and surrounding environments… to apply practical, “less is more” and traditional design methodologies that will enable any facility to reasonably sustain itself… to design golf holes that reveal great beauty while presenting provoking options and opportunities for ALL players… and to inspire imagination, creative shot making and promote lasting enjoyment of this fine game.
Traits
Drew’s clients have remarked repeatedly on his moral character, his ability to listen, his congeniality, his vision and creativity and his ability to effectively communicate. He is passionate about success and excellence; a true team player and a dedicated professional that cultivates long, collaborative relationships with his clients. Drew is a seasoned practitioner, a prompt service provider, available to administer timely direction and decision making and always respectful his clients’ timing and budgets. For additional comments from a variety of clients and golf industry professionals, please visit Endorsements.
Tradition
Drew’s fondness for traditional, classic, “Golden Age” architecture has inspired a movement for his consultation and involvement on a growing number of history-laden courses, including restorative efforts at:
Chevy Chase Club in Chevy Chase, Maryland (Donald Ross, Colt/Alison, Flynn)
Country Club of Columbus in Columbus, Georgia (Donald Ross)
Country Club of North Carolina in Pinehurst, North Carolina (Ellis Maples)
Kenosha Country Club in Kenosha, Wisconsin (Donald Ross)
Knollwood Club in Lake Forest, Illinios (C. H. Alison)
LaGrange Country Club in LaGrange, Illinios (Bendelow, Langford, Donald Ross)
Lake Shore Country Club in Glencoe, Illinios (Bendelow, Olmstead, Donald Ross)
Manor Country Club in Rockville, Maryland (William Flynn)
Old Elm Club in Highland Park, Illinois (Harry Colt & Donald Ross)
Pine Hills Country Club in Sheboygan, Wisconsin (Harry Smead)
Pine Lake Country Club in Orchard Lake, Michigan (Ernie Way, Willie Park Jr.)
Plum Hollow Country Club in Southfield, Michigan (C.H. Alison)
Siwanoy Country Club in Bronxville, New York (Donald Ross)
Spring Lake Country Club in Spring Lake, Michigan (Tom Bendelow)
Sylvania Country Club in Sylvania, Ohio (Willie Park, Jr.)
Urbana Country Club in Urbana, Illinois (Tom Bendelow)
Evolution
Drew’s guidance has also been instrumental at more modern venues, where he has been tasked with developing a new vision or identity, develop improved practice facilities, address playability and management issues… or to simply touch up a maturing design to endure another 30 years. Some of these include:
Atkins Golf Club at University of Illinois in Urbana, Illinois
Audubon Country Club in Naples, Florida
Belle Haven Country Club in Alexandria, Virginia
Country Club of Naples in Naples Florida
Country Club of Paducah in Paducah, Kentucky
Cress Creek Country Club in Naperville, Illinois
Happy Hollow Club in Omaha, Nebraska
Ivanhoe Club in Ivanhoe, Illinois
Lemon Bay Golf Club in Englewood, Florida
The Country Club at Mirasol in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
Miromar Lakes Beach and Golf Club in Miromar Lakes, Florida
Polo Club of Boca Raton in Boca Raton, Florida
Prestwick Village Golf Club in Highland, Michigan
Quail West Golf and Country Club in Naples, Florida
Royal Poinciana Golf Club in Naples, Florida
Ruth Lake Country Club in Hinsdale, Illinois
Seagate Golf & Country Club in Delray Beach, Florida
Spring Lake Country Club in Spring Lake, Michigan
Twin Orchard Country Club in Long Grove, Illinois
Valencia Golf & Country Club in Naples, Florida
Westlake Golf & Country Club in Jackson, New Jersey
Wyndemere Country Club in Naples, Florida
Recognition
Drew’s new course works have gained a wide variety of accolades, attesting to the adaptability of his skills over a broad variety of course and project typologies and locales.
Oitavos Dunes, Portugal – Among Golf Magazine’s “50 Greatest Courses of the Last 50 Years” & among the “Top 100 Courses in the World” (#55), hosted European PGA Tour’s Portuguese Open
Newport National Golf Club, Rhode Island – “Top 20 Public Courses in the US” by Golf Digest, “Best Public Course in New England” by New England Golf Monthly & “Top 10 Links Style Courses in the US” by PGA.com.
Country Club at Mirasol (Sunset Course), Florida – among the “Best Communities for Golf” according to Links Magazine, hosted PGA Tour’s Honda Classic
The Club at Olde Stone, Kentucky – “Top 10 New Private Courses” by Golf Digest, “Top 100 Modern Courses in the US” by Golfweek, hosted NCAA Golf Championships & the PGA Junior Ryder Cup.