Interview With Tom C. Hoch President Tom Hoch Design By Brian Weis

Can you provide our readers a brief biography? Founded in 1963 in Oklahoma City by Tom (senior) and Joanne Hoch, Tom Hoch is a design-build firm specializing in club, resort, hotel, restaurant and recreational spaces, and a recognized worldwide leader for delivering exceptional results on schedule and within budget. It has created many of the most memorable, engaging and functional spaces in the golf, hospitality and leisure industries, including award-winning, revenue-bolstering projects for leading luxury brands.

Tom Hoch has revolutionized the category via its "revenue-based design" model, a space planning, sizing and mapping process for retail-driven spaces such as golf shops and food- and-beverage operations. The revenue-based design model can be applied to new construction, and is particularly effective with cost-sensitive remodeling projects. It is scalable and can be utilized with any size space in a wide variety of industries (golf, restaurant, hotel, spa, recreational clubs and more).

When did you start golfing and who introduced you to the game? I started in golf as a young kid and quickly grew to love the game. I grew up paying at Quail Creek Country Club in Oklahoma City.

What is your current home course? Twin Hills in Oklahoma City. It's a classic Perry Maxwell design that I never tire of.

To date, what is your proudest golf accomplishment? The company's strong growth over the past five years, despite challenges with the economy and golf industry. It's exciting breathing new life into our clubhouse designs, whether they are brand new or renovations.

What is your biggest golf pet peeve on or off the course? Anchored putters ... pleased with the recent ban! And great golf courses with holes lined by homes.

What is your favorite club in your bag and why? My 21-degree hybrid, which is a much needed game changer for my mediocre game.

What is your favorite golf destination? Apes Hill Club, Barbados. Incredible course, amazing setting.

What course is on your bucket list that you have not played yet? Well, I just had the distinct pleasure of crossing Augusta National off my bucket list recently, so now it's Cypress Point.

If you woke up tomorrow and could play one course you played before, where would you play? Augusta National, again.

If you could change one aspect, rule or thing about golf, what would it be and why? Over-built, inefficient clubhouses that cost more to operate than they add to the top or bottom line.

Dream foursome (living)? Bill Clinton, Annika, Jack Nicholson, Celine Dion

Dream foursome (living or dead)? President Eisenhower, Ben Hogan, Buddy Hackett, Foster Brook