If you’re an avid golf enthusiast, you’ve likely come across courses designed by the renowned designer, Steve Smyers. Responsible for some of the most celebrated golf courses worldwide, Steve Smyers’ influence in golf architecture is as breathtakingly refreshing as it is unequivocally distinctive.
Born in 1952 and a graduate of the University of Florida, Smyers, himself an accomplished player, lived a part of his life in the auspices of golf championships – a background that influenced his architectural vision and design philosophy. With a degree in landscape architecture and a Master of Arts in Urban Planning under his belt, it’s no surprise that Smyers brings a unique twist to his designs.
A member of the American Society of Golf Course Architects since 1984, Smyers’ belief is deeply rooted in the idea that golf should reflect the soul of the land. He creates courses that allow the golfers to think their ways around, offering them a wide array of opportunities for problem-solving. It’s not just golf; it’s a mental voyage.
Each of his golf course designs seem carefully scripted yet wonderfully organic, blending into the landscape rather than merely laying on top of it. This respect for the terrain is a Smyers’ signature, rooted in his firm belief that golf course design should echo nature’s inherent complexity—a belief aptly evident in the 60 courses that bear his mark all around the world.
One of Smyers’ best-known courses is the Isleworth Golf and Country Club located in Windermere, Florida. The course, with its varied topography, challenges golfers at every level. It is artistic and thoughtful, reflecting Smyers’ appreciation for strategy, offering the adventurous golfer multiple angles of play, and employing the land’s natural contours to shape each hole.
Similarly, his contribution to the Southern Dunes in Florida, a ‘reimagining’ of the old greening style, reflects his ethos of paying homage to the classic traditions of golf course design while simultaneously offering unique playing experiences that nudge golfers to step out of their comfort zone time and time again.
Another of Smyers’ crowning achievements is the restoration, design, and redesign of the classic Philadelphia Country Club, where he inscribed history, modernity, and functionality. His redesign of the par-4 ninth hole bears testament to his ingenuity, turning a relatively straightforward hole into a layered strategic marvel.
Yet, Steve Smyers is more than an architect. He has spent time serving as the Chairman of the Master Planning Committee for the United States Golfing Association, where his insights have influenced the future direction of the sport. And in his role as the President of the American Society of Golf Course Architects, he helped to shape, uphold, and advocate for the high standards of golf course design.
Smyers’ commitment to environmental sustainability is another underscored quality. He believes strongly that golf courses can and should play a lead role in preserving and protecting natural habitats. This is inline with his sophisticated design ethos where care for the land and thoughtful strategic elements drive each hole’s design.
In essence, Steve Smyers’ architectural vision is a testament to his relationship with the sport and the land. His signature style, blending traditional influences with innovative approaches, has led to some of the world’s most engaging and thought-provoking golf courses. He creates golfing landscapes that not only challenge but inspire, inviting golfers to both admire and question their surroundings. His work is not only a footprint in the golf industry but in the realm of sport, environment, and architectural ingenuity. Steve Smyers has indeed mastered the art of sculpting ‘the earth’s skin’, and golf, as we know it, is the richer for it.