Melbourne, Australia: Five-time British Open champion Peter Thomson has called it quits on his architecture career after 51 years in the business.
The 86-year-old Australian announced that he is retiring in full from his two golf design businesses, Thomson Perrett in Melbourne, and Thomson, Perrett and Lobb in London.
In a statement, Thomson said: “Due to my age and declining health, and in consultation with my family and two partners – Ross [Perrett] and Tim [Lobb] – I have decided to retire completely from the golf design businesses.
“I have encouraged Ross and Tim to continue with their golf design practices for on-going projects, as well as creating new golf courses on their own long into the future.”
It was in the mid-1960s that Thomson founded the design company, together with his friend Michael Wolveridge.
Perrett came aboard in 1987 as a young architect and the company switched name to Thomson Perrett following Wolveridge’s retirement in 2004.
Thomson Perrett and Lobb was established in 2005 to service the European, Middle Eastern and African markets. In collaboration with various design partners, Thomson has put his name on several golf courses in Australasia, Asia and Europe over the years.
Thomson said: “I have enjoyed a wonderful association with both Ross and Tim, as I did in the past with Michael Wolveridge.
“Together, over 51 years, we have embarked on many exciting projects in more than 30 countries, including Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Asia, the Middle East, and more recently Africa, bringing the game to regions previously without proper golf courses.
“This has given me much satisfaction as I reflect upon our achievements.”
Perrett, who has worked with Thomson for almost 30 years, said in a statement that he will continue to manage the business as usual, with a company re-branding taking place later in the year.
“Peter’s generous support and friendship has been an inspiration to all the Thomson Perrett team and we thank him for the role he has played in each of our careers. It has been a privilege to work closely with one of golf’s most intelligent and greatest players,” he said.