Brian Silva

Brian Silva (born 1953 in Framingham, Massachusetts) is one of America’s foremost golf course architects and restoration specialists, widely recognized for his expertise in recreating and updating classic Golden Age designs. Raised in a family with deep ties to golf construction—his father was a noted feature shaper—Silva developed an early fascination with the artistry and strategy that underpin great golf experiences.

He studied turf management and landscape architecture at the Stockbridge School of Agriculture and the University of Massachusetts, then taught plant sciences before joining Geoff Cornish’s firm in 1983. Silva flourished as Cornish’s partner, combining technical proficiency with a scholarly appreciation for historic architecture. He designed the award-winning Captains Golf Course and has an extensive portfolio of original designs, renovations, and historically sensitive restorations nationwide, with standout projects in New England, Florida, and beyond.

Lauded for his energetic and tireless work ethic, Silva is especially noted for his nuanced restoration of Donald Ross gems, such as The Biltmore (Miami), and for helping popularize “template holes” inspired by classics. Golf World named him Architect of the Year in 1999. Silva’s approach prizes strategic depth, variety, and enjoyment for all skill levels, blending tradition and modern creativity in every project.