Mike Devries interview

[Steve_ Shaffer]

Although Ran interviewed Mike Devries in April 2002, here is a more recent interview by Brandon Tucker of MichiganGolf.com:

www.michigangolf.com/departments/features/mike-devries-golf-course-designer-4765.htm

[Adam Clayman]

Had the great pleasure to play golf with Mike in Colorado this year. Besides being laid back and funny, Mike is joy to watch play golf.

I look forward to playing any number of his designs next year.

The mention of Lawsonia should illustrate how smart this guy is.

Mike also showed a keen interest in flora.

[Jimmy Muratt]

Mike is one of the most talented guys in the business today.  I only hope he gets some original projects soon outside of Michigan.  He should be on the short list of architects for any developer with a good piece of land.

[Josh Smith]

Thanks for the link...
From what I have learned about him in the two plus years knowing him, working with him, and golfing with him...Mike has passion for making every course he works on the best it can be.  He is very hands on.  From what I can gather he finds all the interest the land allows, and creates diverse, extremely fun golf courses with a lot of options.  And he is not afraid to build something you have never seen before, that is what makes his few courses I have seen so endlessly interesting.  I love a course that has teeth amidst all the beauty.  Like a few other talented guys working today, he loves the imperfect features found in mother nature and involves them in his work.

Speaking with Fred Muller of Crystal Downs last month, he told me the story of how he visited Greywalls before it was built and he had no idea how Mike was going to make it work.  He then confirmed how amazed he was seeing the finished product.  He called Greywalls a Great golf course.

Having been to Kingsley Club and Greywalls both, but no other DeVries originals, I can say I love them both and hope to challenge them again soon.

The pose has to go though Mike, let them get a photo of you in action in the Yellow Ski Jacket.

[Tommy_Naccarato]

The guy is a certified whacko. The family ca't hasn't walked right since his last visit. He's a real sicko.....

[PThomas]

Mike is a talented man who is also a very nice guy and a great guy to play golf with.....I look forward to seeing his future efforts

[Jeff_Mingay]

Few people, aside from some fortunate Grand Rapids area golfers, are aware how cool The Mines GC is.

The course is right in the middle of town, really. And, Mike made the very best out of a somewhat difficult proposition. In fact, I think I was more impressed with The Mines at first sight than any of DeVries' other courses. That's not to say it is the best, it simply exceeded my expectations more than the others.

At $35 per round, The Mines is defintely one of the best values in American golf.

[Larry_Rodgers]

Tommy,
 
 whyare you so hard on Mike? He really is a good guy and one of the few graduates of the other Michigan school that is fun to be around. The best part of Mike is his wife Annie who is very delightful and smart. Once again another fine example of a guy marrying up.
 
 Give me a call when you get a minute.

[ed_getka]

Larry,
   Tommy is just giving Mike a hard time in jest.

I consider Mike to be a creative genius, and I look forward to seeing more of his work, when and if I can drag myself away from Kingsley Club which I consider one of the top modern courses in the world.
   Also, anyone who can come up with a course as good as Greywalls on that piece of property has a great future. That property was looked at by two other archies over the years who insisted a course couldn't be built there.
   And you have to love Mike's attitude, which Kelly Blake Moran seems to share, of not dumbing down the architecture for the masses. He knows what makes for an interesting course, and designs as such.
    One thing I appreciate about Mike is that he is willing to listen to what others have to say without getting offended. I have learned a lot from Mike while I have pestered him when he was trying to get work done at Meadow Club.

[Joshua Pettit]

The pose has to go though Mike, let them get a photo of you in action in the Yellow Ski Jacket.

Ahh yes, the infamous yellow jacket.  Should he ever host a DeVries Cup that most definitely should be the trophy…

Mike has influenced me and my career aspirations more then any one person in my life.  He is one of the most intelligent and creative people I have ever encountered…And he’s pretty good at swinging the hickory stick.  

His career as a designer is ever so promising, and I eagerly await some additional DeVries courses in the future.  

[Brian_Sleeman]

Ahh but there already is a DeVries Cup, currently held by the Kingsley Club, which shall be returning to the possession of Greywalls in 2007.

[Joe Hancock]

Ahh but there already is a DeVries Cup, currently held by the Kingsley Club, which shall be returning to the possession of Greywalls in 2007.

That can't be true. Mike is wearing his yellow Columbia jacket today. (Safety first, after all... )

Joe