Interest in golf course architecture sprung from a journalistic invitation from Ken Cotton in the early 1960s to visit the two new courses on which Cotton was then working at St Pierre and Ross-on-Wye.

It made a deep impression, forged a valued friendship with Ken, who was one of the remaining links with many of the celebrated pre-war architects. It also led to Steel joining forces on a working front.

He became a partner of Cotton, Frank Pennink and Charles Lawrie. All three were fine golfers and men of great kindness and integrity. Their help and influence provided the perfect grounding for any young protégé.

On the death of Cotton in 1974 and Lawrie in 1976, Steel and Pennink worked with Michael Bonallack for five or six years but, on Pennink's death and Bonallack's appointment as Secretary of the Royal and Ancient GC, both in 1983, Steel's thoughts turned to the founding of his own company in 1987. It proved a roller coaster ride.

Since 1987, Donald Steel has travelled more widely than any golf course architect in the world. This has entailed 2,000 flights as well as half a million miles at the wheel of his own car, rental cars or enjoying the luxury of being driven. In eighteen years, his passport bears the stamp of 25 countries.

There is much to tell but confirming the highlights.

Donald Steel is the only architect to have advised every Club or course on which the Open championship has ever been played.

Prestwick, Musselburgh, St Andrews, Muirfield, Sandwich, Hoylake, Deal, Troon, Lytham & St Annes, Prince's, Carnoustie, Portrush, Birkdale and Turnberry.

Hoylake returned to the rota in 2006 as a result of his critical study of the combination of playing conditions, crowd movement and practice facilities. Steel first confronted Hoylake as a contestant in the Boys championship of 1954.