Peter Thomson, five times British Open Champion from 1954-1965, three times Australian Open Champion and nine times the New Zealand Open Champion, has won a hundred tournaments worldwide, including the World Cup for Australia, twice. His record on the PGA Seniors Tour is scarcely less impressive; in 1985 he set the standard by winning nine tournaments out of a possible 27. Born in the working class suburb of Brunswick in Melbourne, Thomson began his professional career in 1949 and won his first New Zealand Open in 1950. Initially, Peter concentrated on the European tour playing on the British courses he so loved, and which have heavily influenced his golf course architecture and those of the courses he designed in Thailand.

Then in the 60’s he put his weight behind the fledgling Asian tour. His forty year playing career takes in the Open titles of ten countries, winning several more than once, ending in 1988 on an up note with the British PGA Seniors title. Thomson captained the International Team three times in the President’s Cup: 1996 and 2000, and also the successful team which defeated the USA in 1998 at Royal Melbourne. He was elected to the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1988.

Two quotes from Peter Thomson reflect his architecture: "A golf course should be a bit wild, at least in some corners. A weed now and again would be a great relief." "The most important facets of golf are careful planning, calm and clear thinking and the ordinary logic of common sense."

Peter Thomson is one of the principals of Thomson Perrett – formerly Thomson Wolveridge & Perrett – the other being Ross Perrett, planner, architect, landscape architect and golf course designer, with over 25 years experience. Thomson has been involved in the design of three courses in Thailand and my next post will cover the design and current state of affairs at each of these Thailand golf courses.

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