Rob Collins
Golf course designer, Chattanooga
Rob Collins didn’t golf much as a kid.
He tried out for the McCallie team as a senior, but he was terrible and didn’t make the varsity.
But less than 20 years later, the sport plays a huge role in his professional life on a daily basis – and every now and then he plays.
Collins spent a bit of time Tuesday putting at Moccasin Bend in preparation for a State Amateur qualifier Monday at Black Creek Club.
“I have to do a little practicing,” said Collins, whose putter has a one-inch-diameter grip to keep his hands out of the action.
He loves the design of the putter, and designing is his job – designing courses, not clubs, though.
Collins said he worked for Gary Player and built a course in Florida and played a key role in the design of a Canadian project called Wildstone before returning home. The 35-year-old decided to open his own firm: King Collins Golf Course Design.
“We worked on our own, and it looks like I’ll be helping on the renovation with Sewanee,” Collins said. “I’m hoping to get involved with that, and I’m speaking to another client about another renovation.
“I’m thrilled that in this awful market I have a few leads.”