Harry Shapland Colt... Where really to begin? Links has penned a short but insightful snapshot on Colt's career (article attached below).
So what stands out when we think of Colt? When I think of Old Elm (in the US) and Swinley Forest and the many other courses I've studied in the UK, I think of great balance... balance with the use of each site's inherent charateritics and features...I think of ideal flow in the sequencing of each layout from hole to hole... I think of his fabulous use of scale (a trait that he shared with his partners, C.H. Alsion and Alister MacKenizie), as scale is so vital for definition, for strategy and deception and also for depth and beauty. Perhaps a characteristic that isn't often mentioned about Colt is his keen ability to think about shot-making and how to design a course that presented a test of shot varieties. And all the while, without forcing the matter through contrivance - everything just always seems to fit.
Colt is an amazing study. His work and manner may have the most influence on my work as any. That's ajust a reminder to me that it's time to revisit some of his courses overseas again to recharge my batteries ;)