Thomson Perrett & Lobb signs Goosen to design staff

Thomson Perrett & Lobb, the international golf course architecture practice founded by five times Open Champion Peter Thomson with partners Ross Perrett and Tim Lobb, has strengthened its world-class design team by recruiting a new South African design associate.

Andrew Goosen, 31, from Cape Town, a graduate of the European Institute of Golf Course Architects' Professional Diploma in Golf Course Design, joins TPL as a design associate based in London following a career as a project manager with a leading London architectural practice.

TPL partner Tim Lobb, said: "Thomson Perrett & Lobb's sustained growth has seen us acquire several high quality projects across the Europe, Middle East and Africa region in recent times, and as a result we have been able to attract the brightest and best young talent to work across our portfolio of developments.

"We had 20 applicants from across three continents, but Andrew stood out and has been recruited for his project management experience in the design world and for the commitment he has shown to having a career in golf course design. He is an exceptional individual who will prove a real asset to our business."

Goosen, who plays to a handicap of four, previously worked for Reardon Smith, Europe's leading hotel and resort designer. He was responsible for project managing the design work for major tourist developments, including a 600-bedroom hotel, new PGA Headquarters and driving range proposed for The Belfry and Drax Hall, a luxury golf resort and hotel complex in Jamaica. These projects have equipped him with the skills to support TPL's professional master planning and design operation for clients in Egypt, Turkey, and the UAE, as well as in many other locations worldwide.

"It's incredible for me to realise my dream of working for an internationally renowned golf course architecture practice," said Goosen. "It is rare that you get to combine your true passions in life at work, and I look forward to adding real value to TPL projects."

Goosen recently completed the two-year professional diploma in golf course design with the EIGCA, which included a full-scale design project, field based investigation and site visits in Portugal, Scotland and England.

He joins Denmark's Philip Spogard, the Toro Student Golf Course Architect of the Year from the 2007 EIGCA professional diploma program, on TPL's international design team, and will work in TPL's office in Surrey, UK.

Thomson Perrett & Lobb's origins date back to 1965 when Peter Thomson, the five-times British Open Champion, formed the founding design practice based in Melbourne, Australia. Since then, the company has expanded and opened a further office in Beijing and, in 2004, Tim Lobb joined Peter Thomson and Ross Perrett to head up TPL in London, giving the business a truly global reach.

Together, Thomson Perrett & Lobb have more than 75 years' experience in creating internationally recognised, integrated golfing facilities in more than 30 countries worldwide. The principals are actively involved in the business and the team includes vibrant professionals with qualifications in golf architecture, architecture, landscape architecture, engineering and CAD.

Thomson Perrett & Lobb is currently designing and managing projects in Turkey, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. For more information visit: www.tpl.eu.com