About
At his peak, Dick Wilson was one of the two most sought-after golf architects in the US, working on nearly 10 courses annually and personally building many of his own designs—a rarity in his field.
Dick Wilson, born Louis Sibbett Wilson in 1904, was one of the most influential American golf course architects of the post-World War II era. Starting his career as a water boy during the construction of Merion Golf Course in Philadelphia, he later joined the acclaimed Toomey & Flynn firm, playing a critical role in projects like Shinnecock Hills and several courses across the United States. After World War II service constructing and camouflaging airfields, Wilson launched his own architecture firm in Florida. Throughout the late 1940s to early 1960s, he designed and renovated more than sixty courses, with notable works at Doral Country Club, Bay Hill, West Palm Beach Country Club, and Pine Tree Golf Club—considered among his masterworks. Renowned for his engineering skill, he often elevated greens to improve drainage and strategy on flat terrain, and his signature use of diagonal axes and dramatic bunkering added challenge and visual appeal. Wilson’s legacy rivals that of Robert Trent Jones, with courses recognized for their enduring quality.
%203.webp)
%20%236.webp)
%20Hole%2018.webp)
