Golf architect Mike DeVries is a craftsman who insists on being personally involved with all aspects of golf course development, including feature shaping of the putting greens and bunkers. By being on-site consistently throughout the construction process, DeVries also enables himself to continually study the land, reacting to newly revealed opportunities and improving upon his original design concepts. This evolutionary process inevitably results in a unique golf course of enduring quality.

A 1987 graduate of Lake Forest College in suburban Chicago (Business Administration), DeVries apprenticed with golf architect Tom Doak before going on to the University of Michigan where he earned his Masters degree in Landscape Architecture in 1994. Following a stint as an on-site design coordinator with golf architect Tom Fazio, DeVries has designed and constructed five new golf courses, as well as consulted with numerous established clubs about course renovations.

DeVries’ grandfather introduced Mike to golf at Crystal Downs Country Club in Frankfort, Michigan, where he developed a deep respect and admiration for the work of legendary golf architects Dr. Alister MacKenzie and Perry Maxwell. DeVries continues to study the works and writings of the master golf architects of yesteryear in an effort to apply those design principles to his own work.

Writings:
The rhythm and flow of a golf course, Golf Architecture: A Worldwide Perspective, Volume Three, Full Swing Golf Publishing, 2005, pp. 44-51.

Bunkered! (part 2), Golf Architecture: Journal of the Society of Australian Golf Course Architects, Issue 8, 2005.

Bunkered! (part 1), Golf Architecture: Journal of the Society of Australian Golf Course Architects, Issue 7, 2004.

Sixth Hole, Crystal Downs Country Club, Favourite Holes By Design: The Architect’s Choice, Full Swing Golf Publishing, 2004, pp. 66-67.

Playable greens on the wild side, Golf Architecture: A Worldwide Perspective, Volume Two, Full Swing Golf Publishing, 2003, pp. 142-147. Also published as Rocking and Rolling in The Golfer, Travel edition 2004.

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