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Team Profiles

Gary Player, Chairman

brief description In 2003 Gary Player celebrated his 50th anniversary as a professional golfer.  Over the last half century, the man who became known as “The Black Knight of the Fairways” has compiled an exceptional record of 163 worldwide victories, including the coveted Grand Slam.  During his playing career, Player consulted on dozens of golf course design projects as a “Player consultant” before establishing is own company in the early 80’s, Gary Player Design.  His vast experience traveling the world coupled with an unparalleled international career as a touring professional have afforded Gary Player a unique understanding of the needs of the average golfer, the objectives of the developer and the concerns of the environment.

To date the organization lays claim to over 300 projects in 34 countries, many of which have received multiple awards & rankings, as well as served as host venues for several PGA Tour sanctioned events.  Player has also received multiple personal recognitions as a designer on several continents.

With nine PGA Tour major championships, nine Champions Tour majors and almost 15 million air miles under his belt, Player has been trademarked The World’s Most Traveled Athlete™ and also represents the World Golf Hall of Fame as the “International Ambassador of Golf.” As a leader in the golf course design industry worldwide, his success as an entrepreneur has undoubtedly mirrored his playing career.

The fundamental philosophy behind Gary Player’s approach to golf course design is to create courses playable by all levels, with unwavering sensitivity to the environment.  From a young age, Player was (and still is) influenced by his older brother Dr Ian Player, a renowned conservationist credited with saving the White Rhino from extinction.  Gary Player has approached every project with utmost regard for the natural vegetation, wetlands and habitats, in each case striving to create “a gift to nature.” The result is a list of Gary Player-designed golf courses that have been certified by the National Audubon Society, a USA-based organization whose mission is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems.

As he plays less competitive golf each year, Gary Player’s schedule is as busy as ever with golf course design & real estate business.  He prides himself on taking his design experience to emerging markets to help develop the game of golf globally and enjoys undertaking diverse conditions, sites and cultures.  Player works closely with a technical team to implement his design philosophies and directs his staff to be selective about the projects they accept.

Scott Ferrell, President

brief description Scott Ferrell joined the Gary Player Group in 2001 as President of Gary Player Design.  Responsible for all facets of the golf course design division, his duties include client relations, marketing, brand management, new business development, contract negotiation, global strategic planning, division staffing, management of contract personnel, profit and loss responsibility, and overall day-to-day operations.  Scott works closely with Gary Player to ensure that his design philosophies and vision are executed at each project the division accepts.

During Scott Ferrell’s tenure, Gary Player Design has been engaged in over fifty new golf course design projects in twenty-three countries, bringing the company’s total portfolio to over 250.  Business strategy under Scott’s leadership has included pursuing golf centered real estate projects in emerging markets around the world, including the Middle East, Central America, Eastern Europe, China, and India.  From a design perspective, Gary Player Design has continued its focus on Mr. Player’s philosophy of creating visually appealing golf courses, while making environmental stewardship a priority.

Prior to joining Gary Player Design, Mr. Ferrell spent 11 years with the PGA TOUR’s Golf Course Properties Division.  He held various marketing positions within the Tournament Players Club Network, culminating with the position of Director of New Club Membership Sales at PGA TOUR Headquarters in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.

Scott earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Wake Forest University in 1984, and spent the early years of his career in technical marketing positions within the defense industry.

Frank Henegan, Senior Designer

brief description As a Senior Designer, Frank works directly with Mr. Player on the design and administration of projects from the company’s Palm Beach, Florida office. With over 22 years of experience designing golf courses around the world, Frank has worked with a wide variety of site conditions, environmental challenges, and construction methods that will enable him to provide a quality golf course in any environment.

Over the course of his career, Frank has completed numerous award winning courses domestically and abroad.  He currently has projects in the US, Greece, Morocco, South Africa, Mauritius, India, and China.

Frank is a graduate of Mississippi State University with a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (1986).

Jeff Lawrence, Senior Designer

brief description Jeff Lawrence’s design experience is based on a well founded design career, producing numerous award winning projects both domestically and internationally.  Twenty years in the design business has offered him the unique opportunity to work along side some of the greatest golf course architects of our time; Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tom Fazio.

Jeff is currently working with Mr. Player on projects in Bulgaria, Abu Dhabi, Tenerife, Canada and Costa Rica. His in-depth knowledge of the technical aspects of golf course design combined with his creative flair helps support Mr. Player’s vision around the world, providing unique, sustainable and quality golf experiences.

Jeff is a graduate of Arizona State University (1986), where he was a member of the golf team, and is currently a member of the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA). 

Brian Lussier, Senior Designer

Brian Lussier With over 21 years experience in the golf course design business and a background in land-planning, Brian has worked with a wide variety of site conditions, environmental challenges and construction techniques all over the world.  He is currently involved with projects in the United States, Italy, Central America, and the Ukraine.

Prior to joining Gary Player Design, Brian has had the opportunity to work on a variety of award-winning golf courses, ranging from the public daily fee sector, to private facilities, as well PGA Tour venues.  As a member of the ASGCA coupled with a wealth of land-planning experience, Brian brings a creative and practical approach to the Gary Player Design Team.

Brian is a graduate of University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (1986) and State University of New York at Cobleskill with an Associates Degree in Applied Science in Turf Grass and Landscape Development.

Steven McFarlane, Senior Designer

brief description Steven McFarlane is senior designer with Gary Player Design and has been a member of the European Institute of Golf course Architects since 1990.

He originates from Troon, Scotland, and has over twenty two years of design experience working on award-winning projects throughout the world.  He was also contributing author for the American Urban Landscape Institutes publication “Golf Course Development in Residential Communities”

Steven is currently working on Signature designs with Mr. Player in Asia, The Middle East, Europe and Central America.

Steven is a graduate of Glasgow University with a Bachelor Degree in Engineering.