Noted Michigan golf designer, Jerry Matthews passed last month at the age of 88. Matthews designed, or renovated over 200 golf courses in his career, including 90 in the state of Michigan. His work can be found in 40 Michigan counties, in both the Lower and Upper Peninsulas.
His father, Bruce began the family’s design business and Jerry first job was working at Green Ridge Country Club, now named Egypt Valley, near Grand Rapids.
The family’s motto was to ‘design courses for the masses’ and Jerry stayed true to that goal. You will always find a Matthews design accommodating to the average golfer, but still provide a stern test for the lower handicap golfer.
Blythefield Country Club, in Grand Rapids, was originally designed by William Langford in 1928. Matthews updated it to host the LPGA’s Meijer Classic. Buck’s Run Golf Club near Mt. Pleasant was built in an abandoned stone quarry and will give any visitor a clear vision of what Jerry Matthews was able to create under less than optimum conditions.
Crystal Lake Country Club, Grosse Isle Country Club, Cadillac Country Club, Washtenaw Country Club and Monroe Country Club are just a few more of the courses that bear the fingerprints of the Matthews Design Group.
Matthews died shortly after being honored for his lifetime of work in Michigan’s golf industry during a ceremony at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island.
Bill Hobson of Michigan Golf Live said of his passing,
“If you’ve played golf in Michigan, you’ve likely played one of the great courses designed by this special, humble, brilliant man.”
Michigan lost a great contributor to the golf landscape. His designs have helped golf thrive around the state for decades.
