Indian Golf Weekly: Indian architect wins global design award

Thu 12 November 2026

Indian golf course architect Aashish Vaishnava, along with his British design partner Jon Hunt, were awarded the World’s Best Golf Course Designer award at the 13th World Golf Awards ceremony held at Madinaty Golf Club in Egypt.

The award, presented annually since 2015, has previously recognised some of golf’s most celebrated players who subsequently established successful course design businesses.

“For me, this is a moment to put Indian golf design in the international conversation,” said Vaishnava, who hopes the recognition will encourage more young Indians to consider golf architecture as a career.

His partnership with Hunt combines Indian design expertise with Bristol-based International Design Group (IDG), building on more than 20 years of India–UK collaboration in golf course architecture, resort development and landscape design.

The 2026 awards also recognised two projects associated with their work. Prestige Golfshire Club was named India’s Best Golf Course, while Al Dhannah Golf Club received the Middle East’s Best 9 Hole Golf Course award.

Projects associated with the partnership have received 33 World Golf Awards recognitions between 2014 and 2026, including awards for design, redevelopment and consultancy.

The latest honour gives an Indian golf course designer a place alongside some of the sport’s most established international names.