Jerry Mathews Passes

[Chris_Blakely]

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/golf/2022/09/16/jerry-matthews-michigans-johnny-appleseed-golf-course-design-dies/10395909002/

[Tommy Williamsen]

I met him at Grand Haven Golf Club many many years ago. His family loved Michigan and Michigan golf. Good on ya Jerry.

[Chris_Blakely]

I met him at Grand Haven Golf Club many many years ago. His family loved Michigan and Michigan golf. Good on ya Jerry.

I never met him, but, I have played most of his well received courses in Michigan:


Elk Ridge (Atlanta, MI)
A-Game-ng -Sundance (Torch Lake,MI)
Hunter’s Ridge (Howell, MI)
The Majestic (Hartland, MI)
Hawk Hollow (Lansing, MI)
Timber Ridge (East Lansing, MI)


The only course of his that is a highly rated public course in Michigan that I have not played is Timberstone.  I am not sure about the obit and the courses he did especially the out of state courses as I can think of only 5 to 6 that I know of that are not in Michigan.


His courses were usually good, but not great, used the land well, and he built better greens than his father.


Chris

[Tommy Williamsen]

At one time Grand Haven GC was in the top 100 public. Times were different, and tree lined tight courses were highly thought of.

[Anthony_Nysse]

At one time Grand Haven GC was in the top 100 public. Times were different, and tree lined tight courses were highly thought of.

Bruce Matthews, Sr designed Grand Haven. (Now American Dunes) He also designed LE Kaufman, one of the best munis in the state with great conditioning.

[JLahrman]

At one time Grand Haven GC was in the top 100 public. Times were different, and tree lined tight courses were highly thought of.

Bruce Matthews, Sr designed Grand Haven. (Now American Dunes) He also designed LE Kaufman, one of the best munis in the state with great conditioning.

I'm assuming you mean the Grand Rapids muni (I'm actually not sure if it's Grand Rapids or Kent County who runs it). I'm hoping to sneak out there someday soon.

[Anthony_Nysse]

At one time Grand Haven GC was in the top 100 public. Times were different, and tree lined tight courses were highly thought of.

Bruce Matthews, Sr designed Grand Haven. (Now American Dunes) He also designed LE Kaufman, one of the best munis in the state with great conditioning.

I'm assuming you mean the Grand Rapids muni (I'm actually not sure if it's Grand Rapids or Kent County who runs it). I'm hoping to sneak out there someday soon.

LE Kaufman is located in Wyoming/Kent County. Formally called Palmer Park.

[JLahrman]

OK great, that's the one. As a recent transplant to Grand Rapids I was hoping to make this my next stop, with your recommendation I'll double my effort...

[Forrest Richardson]

Jerry was a talented and kind man. A true gentleman who was warm and friendly to all he came across. It was particularly fitting (not sure of a better word) that he passed away just minutes after being honored at a club with many members standing in ovation to his work and lifetime achievements. Bruce, his nephew, told me that Jerry was "in his glory" having just been honored, and simply slumped over and never recovered. As Bruce commented, "There is probably no better way to go than to have been honored and praised just moments before your time has come..."

[Tommy Williamsen]

At one time Grand Haven GC was in the top 100 public. Times were different, and tree lined tight courses were highly thought of.

Bruce Matthews, Sr designed Grand Haven. (Now American Dunes) He also designed LE Kaufman, one of the best munis in the state with great conditioning.

I'm assuming you mean the Grand Rapids muni (I'm actually not sure if it's Grand Rapids or Kent County who runs it). I'm hoping to sneak out there someday soon.

No we mean Grand Haven. It was long a staple in the area.

[jeffwarne]

Jerry was a talented and kind man. A true gentleman who was warm and friendly to all he came across. It was particularly fitting (not sure of a better word) that he passed away just minutes after being honored at a club with many members standing in ovation to his work and lifetime achievements. Bruce, his nephew, told me that Jerry was "in his glory" having just been honored, and simply slumped over and never recovered. As Bruce commented, "There is probably no better way to go than to have been honored and praised just moments before your time has come..."

That is so cool.
usually you don't hear things like that about someone until the eulogy.
Nice he could hear it on this side.

[Buck Wolter]

I played Mistwood in Lake Ann Michigan (w/Ray Hearn) many times ~20 years ago and always enjoyed it. Seems like a good reason to get back out there.

[JLahrman]

At one time Grand Haven GC was in the top 100 public. Times were different, and tree lined tight courses were highly thought of.

Bruce Matthews, Sr designed Grand Haven. (Now American Dunes) He also designed LE Kaufman, one of the best munis in the state with great conditioning.

I'm assuming you mean the Grand Rapids muni (I'm actually not sure if it's Grand Rapids or Kent County who runs it). I'm hoping to sneak out there someday soon.

No we mean Grand Haven. It was long a staple in the area.

Sorry Tommy I was referring to Kaufman not Grand Haven, there were two courses mentioned.


Speaking of, I had the day off work Monday and tried to walk on over at Kaufman. Unfortunately I couldn't get out, there is a standing group of retired guys who have a block of tee times every day and they all showed up.


But wow did the several holes I could see from the clubhouse area look interesting. I can't wait to get back there and play the course. The day wasn't a total waste as I went over to Indian Springs and played nine holes, but this thread really piqued my interest in Kaufman.


Sorry for the thread hijack, but I have never seen much about Kaufman on this site.

[JLahrman]

Bruce Matthews, Sr designed Grand Haven. (Now American Dunes) He also designed LE Kaufman, one of the best munis in the state with great conditioning.

I was finally able to get to Kaufman today, on probably the last good golf weather day we'll have in these parts for awhile.


I LOVED Kaufman. Even though the course is starting to get into its long underwear for winter, it was in great shape. The greens were fun and rolling nice, it was in great condition for this time of year, and the course was really walkable. And I paid...$28 to walk, which included a pull cart rental.


That will not be my last round at Kaufman!