Reebdoog - Designer Showcase

- How long have you been playing The Golf Club?
A: I jumped in during early access. Not really early on but from the moment I saw the game show up in Steam I knew I wanted to give it a go. - How would you describe your style of designing?
A: Realistic/Visual. I mean several things by that though. I try to stay away from too much fantasy and if I do have a little fantasy in a course I try to make it REALISTIC fantasy. It’s hard for me to force myself into true fantasy design. By visual I mean that I don’t plan things out ahead of time. I look at the landscape…see a direction and then design around what I’ve been given. That does NOT mean that I won’t get into the bulldozer and tear that sucker up…but it always starts with what’s in front of me. Also visual means that I want to take into account what the Player will see from any given point and use that. I’ve said it before and I still feel like I design this way…but I want to make an easy hole that looks hard or a hard hole that looks easy. Rarely will a hard hole LOOK hard or an easy hole LOOK easy for me. Do they slip through? yeah…but that’s the general plan for me. - What do you use for inspiration when designing your courses?
A: Usually it’s all about a first hole. If I sit down in the designer and create a plot and then lay down the first hole that will tell me everything else about the course. I don’t look outside for a lot of inspiration but of course we all have memories of golf courses we’ve seen or played so I’m sure that comes into it. I just put down that first hole…and that opens up the gates for me. - Which two of your own courses are your favorites?
A: Bison Run is just about my favorite course in the game. I like everything about it. I really do. I wouldn’t mind going in and putting in some more eye candy with regard to the clubhouse and roads and all that jazz…but I just love the way the holes flow around on this one and it REALLY showcases the idea of easy/hard visuals that I mentioned before.Old Beaver Creek is another good one. I know ADX was involved with this one but I think it’s ok to use it as an answer here and I’m sure he’d be ok with that. The course has a good mix of holes that I really like. The short par 4 third hole is a favorite as are 5, 8, 9, 11, 13, 14….lots of good holes here. The views from 13 and 14 are just about my favorites. Not a hard course…but a lot of fun to play and you just keep going even after a bad hole because each hole just pulls your forward and you can’t stop. - Do you play golf in real life?
A: Not as much as I’d like…but yes I do. Generally my goal these days is to break 80 once in a season. Since I only get to play 6 or 7 rounds I’m ok with that goal. Back in the day I was a caddie and then had a job that allowed me to play almost daily. I broke 70 a few times but nothing consistent. I will say that I have GOT to get some nice blades again. I went back to game improvement type irons three years ago and I’m not liking it. The feel of a nice solid forged blade is just the best and the weight just feels…right… sigh… so expensive though! - Besides playing/designing in TGC , what are your other hobbies?
A: I sing/direct/judge classical/sacred choral music which is fun. I hunt when I can (pheasants, turkey, deer, varmints…all that jazz). I like to cook when I have a chance. I read a ton of books. - What is your favorite ice cream?
A: Spumoni!!! Cherry Pistachio Chocolate please.