Losing finalists Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player have both praised Gil Hanse, the man selected to lead the design team for the new golf course being built in Rio de Janeiro for the 2016 Olympic games.
Nicklaus (L) and Player with the old Claret Jug at St Andrews
Hanse, who will have LPGA Hall of Famer Amy Alcott working alongside him, was nowhere near as well-known as many of the other finalists in the race, not the least of these being Nicklaus, who would have had the assistance of former World No 1 and proven course designer, Annika Sorenstam, Greg Norman who was set to partner Lorena Ochoa, like him also a former World No 1 golfer, and nine-time major winner Gary Player, who is renowned worldwide, both as a player and a course designer.
Playing second fiddle is not in the nature of either Nicklaus or Player, but both men had some warm words of congratulation for Hanse, according to Golfmagic.com.
"I would like to offer my sincere congratulations to Gil and his design team," Nicklaus, who continues to hold the Major record with his 18 wins, was reported to have said.
"Obviously, Gil's commitment and desire to do the best possible job, along with his all-in commitment to the committee in Brazil, was an important determining factor to the (selection) group.
"I am sure he will create a fine golf course. The Olympics, and the legacy that this golf course will be able to create, will be in good hands."
Nine-time major champion Gary Player also had good things to say.
"I met Gil in Rio and he seems like a fine gentleman," said the South African. "I am sure he will do a wonderful job designing the course for the 2016 Games and I congratulate him on being awarded the project."
Hanse was recently hired by Donald Trump to help renovate this week's WGC-Cadillac Championship venue, TPC Blue Monster, and he also designed Scotland's Castle Stuart course that now hosts the Scottish Open.
Tom Doak, who Hanse worked under at Renaissance Golf Design in the early 90s, was clearly proud of his former pupil.
"I've known Gil for 25 years," Doak said. "He worked for me for three years when he was starting in the business at Black Forest and at Stonewall.
"I told him in December that if we didn't get the design job in Rio, I hoped he got it. I'm sure he will do a great job."
But Robert Trent Jones Jr had mixed feelings
"Like any sportsman who gets to compete at the Olympic level, it was clearly worth the effort," he said.
"My feelings are mixed between the personal disappointment of not being selected, but also happiness that a true golf architect was selected."
golf365.com