Thomson Adds Karrie Webb To Design Bid

Darius Oliver writes that "despite no evidence at all that a design company teaming with an LPGA superstar can/will produce a quality golf course, it has clearly become fashionable to champion gender equality by tacking a famous female onto your design bid."

Oliver's not confident that Peter Thomson's addition of Karrie Webb will influence the Thomson-Perrett bid for the Rio Olympic design gig.

As the following excerpt from the Thomson Perrett media release suggests, it’s unlikely that Karrie will be dominating design proceedings. ‘Thomson Perrett's team for the Olympic course will be led by Managing Director Ross Perrett  and his partner Peter Thomson who is a five time British Open winner. They will be supported by their multi disciplinary in house team including Senior Golf Course Architects Justin Trott and Warren Duncan, Architects Bernie Hogan and Lindsay Calvert, Irrigation designer Paul Jones, CAD specialist Gary Prendegast and Agronomist Doug Robinson. Also joining Thomson Perrett's team is 7 time ladies Major winner Karrie Webb.’ There were no other references to Webb, or comments from her on the project, referenced in the media release.