Arthur Hills

Arthur Hills was a renowned American golf course architect known for his work on numerous golf courses across the United States, including Michigan, Florida, and California. He was particularly famous for his designs at Bay Harbor Golf Club in Petoskey, Michigan, The Golf Club of Georgia in Alpharetta, Georgia, and Bonita Bay Club in Bonita Springs, Florida, which have hosted several PGA Tour events, including the Buick Open and the Senior PGA Championship. Hills' designs often incorporated natural elements, such as wetlands, forests, and water features, to create challenging and visually stunning courses, similar to those designed by Robert Trent Jones and Jack Nicklaus. His work has been recognized by various organizations, including the American Society of Golf Course Architects and the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America.

● Early Life and Education

Arthur Hills was born in Toledo, Ohio and grew up in a family of golf enthusiasts, with his father being a member of the Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio. He developed an interest in golf course design at a young age, inspired by the works of Alister MacKenzie and Donald Ross, and went on to study landscape architecture at Michigan State University, where he was influenced by the designs of Pete Dye and Gary Player. After completing his education, Hills worked under the guidance of Pete Dye at Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel, Indiana, and later at TPC at Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, which was designed by Pete Dye and Alice Dye. This experience helped him develop his skills and style, which were also influenced by the designs of Tom Fazio and Rees Jones.

● Career

Hills' career as a golf course architect spanned over four decades, during which he designed over 200 golf courses across the United States and Canada, including Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta. He was a member of the American Society of Golf Course Architects and served as its president from 1992 to 1993, following in the footsteps of Ed Seay and Jay Morrish. Hills' designs were known for their challenging layouts, beautiful scenery, and environmental sustainability, similar to those of Greg Norman and Nick Faldo. He worked with various golf course owners and developers, including ClubCorp and Troon Golf, to create courses that were both enjoyable for players and respectful of the surrounding environment, such as the courses at Desert Mountain in Scottsdale, Arizona, and The Bear's Club in Jupiter, Florida.

● Notable Works

Some of Hills' most notable works include the Bay Harbor Golf Club in Petoskey, Michigan, which features 27 holes of golf along the shores of Lake Michigan, and The Golf Club of Georgia in Alpharetta, Georgia, which has hosted several PGA Tour events, including the BellSouth Classic. He also designed the Bonita Bay Club in Bonita Springs, Florida, which features 36 holes of golf and has been recognized as one of the top golf courses in the United States by Golf Digest and Golf Magazine. Other notable courses designed by Hills include The Legacy Golf Club in Oxford, Michigan, The Golf Club at Briar's Creek in Johns Island, South Carolina, and The Club at Nevillewood in Presto, Pennsylvania, which have been recognized by Golfweek and Links Magazine.

● Awards and Recognition

Throughout his career, Hills received numerous awards and recognition for his work, including the American Society of Golf Course Architects' Don A. Rossi Award and the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America's Environmental Leaders in Golf Award. He was also inducted into the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame and the Ohio Golf Hall of Fame, joining other notable golf course architects such as Pete Dye and Jack Nicklaus. Hills' courses have been recognized by various publications, including Golf Digest, Golf Magazine, and Golfweek, which have ranked his courses among the top golf courses in the United States and Canada, including Canada's Top 100 Golf Courses.

● Personal Life

Hills was a resident of Toledo, Ohio and was involved in various charitable organizations, including the First Tee and the National Golf Foundation. He was also a member of the USGA and the PGA of America, and served on the advisory board of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America. Hills passed away in 2012, leaving behind a legacy of beautiful and challenging golf courses that continue to be enjoyed by golfers around the world, including those at Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble Beach, California, and Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, New York. His work has been recognized by various organizations, including the LPGA and the European Tour, and his courses continue to host numerous golf tournaments, including the U.S. Open and the Ryder Cup. Category:Golf course architects