In Memoriam – Robert Berthet MEIGCA (Retd)

It is with great sadness that the European Institute of Golf Course Architects marks the passing of Robert Berthet, a distinguished member of the profession and a valued member of the EIGCA until his retirement in 2022.

Robert’s influence on golf course architecture in France and across Europe was profound. A graduate of the Paris School of Architecture and a registered golf teacher, he brought a rare and insightful combination of design expertise and sporting understanding to his work. In 1978, he founded ARCHIGOLF, through which he went on to complete, expand, or renovate 45 golf courses, as well as design numerous clubhouses, technical buildings, and contribute to city planning studies.

In 1983, Robert founded the Association Française des Architectes de Golf (AFAG), initially with 20 members, to promote professionalism and excellence in golf course design. During the golf boom of the 1980s and 1990s, over 300 courses were built in France, many of them designed by AFAG members, cementing the Association’s pivotal role in the expansion of the game throughout the country.

Robert believed that golf courses could, and should, do more than provide a sporting challenge. He saw them as powerful tools for urban planning and renewal, capable of rehabilitating neglected or damaged landscapes such as disused quarries and landfills. For him, a golf course was a designed landscape, a central feature of a park that could enhance the quality of life in its surrounding community. Each of his projects was underpinned by a carefully selected landscape theme, aimed at highlighting the character of the site and creating something truly unique.

Robert played an important role in the formative discussions that led to the merger of the European Society of Golf Course Architects, the Association Française des Architectes de Golf, and the British Institute of Golf Course Architects, an initiative that ultimately led to the creation of the EIGCA as it exists today. His commitment to unity and professional advancement helped shape the future of the profession in Europe.

“Robert’s legacy is one of vision and creativity. He will be remembered not only for the courses he built and the landscapes he transformed, but for the standards he helped establish and the profession he helped elevate. On behalf of everyone at the EIGCA, we extend our deepest condolences to Robert’s family, friends, and colleagues at this difficult time.” Gary Johnston, EIGCA President