Desmond Muirhead, March 23, 1923-May 2, 2002

[Tommy_Naccarato]

As controversial as a figure as Desmond was, I am very proud to say that he was a great friend. I will miss his candor and wit, as well as his genius. (No matter what some may think of it.)

Thanks Desmond for everything. It was truely an honor.

[John_D._Bernhardt]

Desmond, enjoy that great golf course in the sky.

[RJ_Daley]

Tommy,

One of the first posts on one of the early generation discussion group sites about golf course design that I noticed your name and how passionate you were about the subject was when you were staunchly defending Des and his core ideas, setting them apart from some of his flamboyant symbolism etc.  You always made a great case for Des to be viewed as a golf course architect of merit.  It was readily apparent how much respect you had for him.  I would have loved to meet him too for the simple reason that he was your friend as well.  

Des's web site had some wonderful art work of his drawings of some of his concept-symbolism holes.  I bet they become serious collector objets d'arte.  He was apparently the true definition of a racontuer and connoiseur of many things.  Like many artists, his greatness may not be recognized till long after he is gone.  One thing about Des's work is that it probably won't fall prey to Reestorations.  Even the village idiot wouldn't change designs like Shinyo.  It would be art desecreation.

http://www.golfdesigner.com/articles/tees_greens_bunkers.htm

I also recommend reading the 8 part series in 1989-90 that Des wrote about "how to improve your golf course". He was a man of many contradictions, but well versed in all the fundamentals.  

http://www.golfdesigner.com/news.htm#howto

[Mike Duffy]

I am saddened with the news of the passing of Desmond Muirhead.

I've played  just one of his courses, Kooralbyn, located in the Kooralbyn Valley, in Queensland.

It is an extraordinarily difficult course, built on some unlikely land for a golf course.

Quite a few years ago, Tommy Naccarato arranged a question-and-answer session with Desmond Muirhead on the web site we were then attached to, and I asked Desmond what was the most difficult course he had designed, and he unhesitatingly answered - Kooralbyn.

He led a colourful and eventful life and golf is the poorer with the event of his death.

May he truly rest in peace.

[TEPaul]

TommyN:

Very sorry to hear that! I know how much you admired him and the fact that I really appreciate "difference" in architecture actually made me quite fascinated by Stone Harbor, despite what most people originally felt about it. It  had to be his best known and most controversial course. When I say I'm sorry they changed it and softened it at all, I really mean that--they should have just left it alone as some kind of monument to real architectural difference!

I also really liked those articles he wrote some years ago. Desmond Muirhead was definitely one of a kind!

[Doc Kildare]

Hey Mike,

I still think Kooralbyn is one of my favourate tracks.
Yeah, there are design flaws, and the condition of the course certainly has deteriated over the years but it is a beautiful place to play golf.

Let me know when you are in town coz I am way overdue for another hit there.

I am saddened with the news of the passing of Desmond Muirhead.

I've played  just one of his courses, Kooralbyn, located in the Kooralbyn Valley, in Queensland.

It is an extraordinarily difficult course, built on some unlikely land for a golf course.

Quite a few years ago, Tommy Naccarato arranged a question-and-answer session with Desmond Muirhead on the web site we were then attached to, and I asked Desmond what was the most difficult course he had designed, and he unhesitatingly answered - Kooralbyn.

He led a colourful and eventful life and golf is the poorer with the event of his death.

May he truly rest in peace.

[Lou Duran]

I met DM at a golf development conference in Atlanta several years ago.  Our encounter was brief, but very memorable.  In the workshop that he led, he kept everyone's attention with his sharp wit and considerable intellect.  He was an innovator, some say an eccentric.  A man of distinction, if you saw him once, you would always remember his face and demeanor.   How much of Muirfield Village is his or Jack Nicklaus is hotly debated, but its standing among the top modern courses speaks to Mr. Muirhead's substantial talent.  His nuts-and-bolts book with Guy Rando, "Golf Course Development and Real Estate" is a must read for those considering a career or an investment in this field.  A sad day for golf, but he will always remain with us through his work.

[Lynn Shackelford]

I ditto Lou Duran's thoughts about Muirfield.

[jg7236]

I am truely honored that I had a chance to have lunch and an interview with the great and late Desmond Muirhead two weeks ago.  He was a man that has been around the world 27 times and designed over 100 courses.  His drawings are like artwork, when looking at one you feel as if you are part of the drawing, amazing.  Desmond thanks for giving me a chance to meet you and take care up in golf heaven.

[Lester George]

DM,

Rest in peace. You are truly one of a kind and all of us think about the bounds of architecture, golf and otherwise.  God Bless.

Lester

[Lester George]

DM,

Rest in peace. You are truly one of a kind and made all of us think about the bounds of architecture, golf and otherwise.  God Bless.

Lester

[Matt_Ward]

TEPaul:

Ditto your comments about Stone Harbor. DM did a "unique" design at the course and although many loathed the course it did present a different "vision" on what golf should be. There are also a few holes of note -- especially the powerful 2nd hole which bumps up the volume after the tame opener.

I laugh out loud when pros scream about the 17th at TPC / Stadium. Hitting that green compared to the old "Jaws Hole" at Stone Harbor is a breeze. Try playing the old Jaws from the tips (about 190 yards) and you will truly know th meaning of fear.  

Tom, you are absoluetly right -- we should celebrate architectural differences such as those even if opinions of the course are so profound.

Rest in peace DM ...

[Bill_Overdorf]

Simply add my thoughts to those herein listed. I had the distinct pleasure of having made Des' acquaintance and later, his earnestly defined friendship. Of the innumerable patrons of this art, he was, with little doubt, one of its foremost artists.

Lead on, my friend. I'll join you in time for that dram of single malt and the privilege of your companionship. Our design theory discussions are far from having run the full course.

Bill

[redanman]

Des was a fellow with an uneven appeal, but some of his best work done under the Nicklaus name is very very cool.  I have always been a huge fan of WPB's Mayacoo Lakes with its Par 3 Dell 17th and blind par 3 13th.  The double island (By sand) green on #6 or 7 is controversial, but intelligent, and the heroic 9th is a really decent par5.  Overall some really good stuff that is rarely talked about. All this in the flat wasteland of South Florida!  Muirfield Village has already been mentioned.

I know he and Tommy became good friends but I never had the pleasure of meeting him.  So for me he will be doubly missed as I found him and his work interesting and that I never had the pleasure of meeting and talking architecture with him.

RIP

Straight, Far and Few, Des

[Larry Rodgers]

Desmond was the kind of client that always got my staff's attention. I remeber on projct in Korea we were working on, Todd Schomer was home for a chritmas vacation and wanted some hours so he started digitizing in one of Desmonds projects. Todd had learned topography and grassing shapes very well as he noted all of the unique features. My brief dealings with Desmond are very fond, he introduced me to many people and was a source for some of his finest tallent.

When I quizzed him about the architecture business he informed of the successful principals of his organization and #1 was salesmanship, Desmond was the best and I consider it an honor to haved worked with he and his staff overseas projects in Thailand, Indonesia, Korea and Germany.

[Rich Goodale (Guest)]

Thanks, Tommy

You were very lucky to have known this man.

He should be more prominently discussed on this website.   If we are at all interested in golf course archiecture....

[Jim Engh]

I had the great pleasure of having lunch with Desmond Muirhead in the late 80's. At St.Andrews of all places. His kind and open manner to someone that he had just met was a real show of the character of the man and has left an impression upon me to this day. His progressive and open minded thinking about golf course design as a true "form of art" has expanded golf for all that love the game. He will be missed.