Interview With Bob Lohmann President Lohmann Golf Designs, Inc.

Below is an interview with Bob Lohmann, the President at Lohmann Golf Designs, Inc.. The following are a few traditional and non traditional golf centric questions that I love to ask influential people in the golf industry.

Can you provide our readers a brief biography?
Grew up in Wisconsin and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Landscape Architecture. Worked with Dick Nugent and Ken Killian for 9 years prior to starting my own golf coure design firm in 1984 and golf course construction firm in 1987. We are currently located in Marengo, IL.

When did you start golfing and who introduced you to the game?
Started playing golf at Hartford Country Club in WI on their practice holes because my dad told me I needed to learn golf etiquette before I was able to play the regular golf course. I played Junior Golf at North Hills Country Club in Menomonee Falls, WI.

What is your current home course?
Was a member at Crystal Lake Country Club for 25 years, but recently resigned and now play various courses and a lot of customer golf. Play golf at Trilogy @ Vistancia when we spend winters in AZ.

To date, what is your proudest golf accomplishment?
The 2000 U.S. Women's Open was held at one of our designs . . . The Merit Club in Libertyville, IL. Also proud to be a member and Past President of The American Society of Golf Course Architects.

What is your biggest golf pet peeve on or off the course?
Slow play irritates me but not as much as the course managers who don't know how to manage it.

What is your favorite club in your bag and why?
The putter . . . love to read the greens especially long putts on contoured greens.

What is your favorite golf destination?
Ireland

What course is on your bucket list that you have not played yet?
Toss-up . . . Cypress Point or Augusta National

If you woke up tomorrow and could play one course you played before, where would you play?
Another toss-up . . . Royal County Down or Shinnecock Hills

If you could change one aspect, rule or thing about golf, what would it be and why?
Courses have to be 7,000 yards long and play to a Par 72.

Dream foursome (living)?
Playing with my two sons and my wife!

Dream foursome (living or dead)?
Playing with Bobby Jones and my three brothers. It would be a five-some.

18 Rapid Fire, Off The Cuff Questions

1) Hitting Long Drive OR Sinking Long Putt?
Sinking a long putt...I have never hit a long drive

2) Having Round of Life OR Hole in One?
Hole in one...still waiting for the first one

3) Golfing at the crack of dawn OR twilight?
Twilight...especially if it is an emergency nine

4) Hit a power fade OR power draw?
Power draw...and knowing when I am going to do it

5) Beverage cart OR halfway house?
Beverage cart...especially in AZ

6) Bathroom OR bushes?
Bushes in the Midwest...lack of Vegetation in AZ forces me to the bathroom

7) Hot dog OR wrap?
Hot dog...better yet, a Wisconsin brat with sauerkraut

8) Around the green, being in sand OR thick rough?
Sand

9) Walking OR riding?
Walking and with a caddie if available

10) Do you carry traditional 3 iron OR hybrid?
Hybrid...and love it.

11) Do you prefer long par 3 OR long par 5?
Long par 3

12) Pants OR Shorts?
Shorts

13) Palmer OR Nicklaus?
Palmer

14) Beatles OR Elvis?
Beatles...what does this have to do with golf?

15) Play for fun OR play for money?
Both...a small amount of money keeps us interested

16) Bump and run OR flop shot?
Bump & run...never know where the flop shot will end up

17) Lay up OR gamble?
Gamble within reason

18) 18 holes OR 36?
18 walking or 36 with a cart