Build Your Dream

Vision Is Everything

It is our goal to create a golf course to meet and exceed the expectations and needs of our Clients and of the Golfers who play them.  Using the latest CAD technology and driven by a desire to create a spectacular golf course, we will design a course that will enhance the environment, inspire golfers, and augment living in the community.

Build Your Dream

25 Years Of Undefeated Success

Carton Design Studio was established in 2001 by Mr. Carton after working fifteen years in the golf course design and planning industry. Mr. Carton trained and learned from the best, Tom Fazio. In so much that it was comment of Spring Creek “the course looks like a Tom Fazio design, for good reason. Designer Ed Carton learned the business working for Fazio, but he achieved Spring Creek at a fraction of a Fazio budget.” RW Golf Digest

17

Best New Golf Courses Selected by Golf Digest

40+

Years of experience with proven results

15%

Revenue in 2023 re-invested into latest technology

150+

Colleagues & counting more daily

Build Your Dream

Quality Services

Preliminary Planning/Feasibility

Is the Dream able to survive reality? We can aid in determining the success of your Dream. Whether it be site selection, development potential, or golf course size, eighteen, twenty-seven, or more golf holes.

Permitting & Engineering

We have a large support team of engineers and designers, providing civil engineering, surveying, land development, geotechnical engineering, environmental services, and construction testing & inspection.

Construction Documents

Providing the “blueprints” to build the golf course in CAD using AutoDesk Civil3D. This makes it easy to share information with other consultants and permitting agencies. Plans include; Clearing, Detailed Grading, Greens Grading 6″ Contour Interval, Drainage Plan, Planting Plan and we consult with the irrigation designer to develop the irrigation plan. 

Construction Observation

We visit the construction site regularly to review the contractors work and to fine tune the golf course.  Golf course architecture is an art, and we work closely with the contractor to fuse the golf course into the terrain to create a golf course that looks natural.  This time spent on site is to ensure the design intent is followed is what makes the difference between a good golf course and a spectacular one.

Design Philosophy

“A golf course must be enjoyable to be a success”
Sam Snead.
Our goal is to see that our courses will be enjoyable and playable for all golfers and challenging enough for the professional golfer. Designed to be easily read, when you stand on the tee you can see all the options and hazards presented before you.  The results are eighteen memorable golf holes and golfers who feel as if they played exceptionally well. 

Consulting

We regularly work for existing golf courses; assisting with renovations, preparing golf course for tournaments, or assisting with adjoining home owners concerns. Are you looking to buy a golf course? We can aid in determining the golf course condition and needed repairs, and provide an estimated cost for the repairs. We have consulted with golf courses to reduce their maintenance costs by using creative design ideas to instantly save money.

Sustainability

Committed To Keep People Healthy & Safe

We provide regular safety training videos for safe construction practices and to be constantly aware of your environment and surroundings. Our team is our strength and we listen to them, we encourage new and creative ideas in our work place.

We Follow Best Practices

We incorporate peer reviews before our final plans are released for construction. Giving each project a “fresh set of eyes” to potentially catch oversights or omissions.

Sustainability
Project On Time
Modern Technology
Latest Designs

Where are we

Office Locations:

Sebastian, Florida

Lynchburg, Virginia

About Founders

We Have “Real” Golf Design Training

Edward Carton

Owner/Designer

Mark Hardy

Designer

Timothy Boyette

Consultant/Shaper

Experience

Our Latest Works

Ivy Hill Putting Course and Short Game Area

Forest, Virginia

Liberty University Golf Team Practice Facility

Lynchburg, Virginia

Poplar Grove Golf Course

Amherst, Virginia

Spring Creek Golf Course​

Zion Crossroads, Virginia

What Our Clients Say

Testimonials

Travel Leisure Golf

“Visiting Poplar Grove made me wish that Snead and Carton could have had a longer partnership. The course meets one of the toughest challenges an architect faces—it’s never boring. And it’s not easy, either. From the tips, at 7,059 yards, it’s got a slope of 141. But from the white tees, the average golfer can score, giving him the chance to walk away feeling that he played well.”

The Golf Guide   

“Spring Creek Golf Club is sure to become known as one of the BEST VA golf courses. This fabulous test of golf was designed by Ed Carton, acclaimed golf course architect whose Poplar Grove design, in collaboration with Sam Snead, has garnered plaudits from the national golfing press.”

Tarheel Tour

“This is the best course we have played this year, and it will be the best course we play this year,” said Tommy Gainey, a veteran of the mini-tour. “It’s the best course we’ve played in probably the last two years. It’s that good of a golf course.”
Tim Pemberton, a Charlottesville native who now resides in Raleigh, N.C., and is in his second year on the circuit, gave the course his stamp of approval as did many of the golfers in the in the 120-player field.

Golf Digest

Americas 100 Greatest Public Courses

“the course looks like a Tom Fazio design, for good reason. Designer Ed Carton learned the business working for Fazio, but he achieved Spring Creek at a fraction of a Fazio budget.” RW Golf Digest

Info Box

(434) 546-6040
ecarton@cartondesignstudio.com

Call To Action

Contact us today for fair priced high quality golf course design and consulting. GolfPass rating of 4.9 stars out of 5 one of the highest ratings on the site.