About
Don Herfort began his golf architecture career after criticizing 3M’s original golf course plans as an employee and was then hired—despite no previous design experience—to lead the project. He went on to become Minnesota’s most prolific course architect, credited with over 140 layouts.
Don Herfort was one of the most influential golf course architects in the upper Midwest, especially in Minnesota, where his creative vision transformed the region’s golf landscape. Originally an accountant for 3M, Herfort was unexpectedly thrust into golf course design when he voiced concerns about the company's Tartan Park course plans and was hired to take over its design. He left 3M to establish Don Herfort, Inc., embarking on a career that spanned over four decades. Herfort designed more than 140 courses across Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan, and the Dakotas, making him the most prolific golf architect in Minnesota’s history. Notable projects include Tartan Park, Dellwood Hills, Indian Hills, River Oaks, Como, Phalen, and Superior National. Known for his technical expertise and strong personality, Herfort’s philosophy emphasized practical earthwork and functionality. He retired in 2003, leaving a legacy marked by both his sheer output and the enduring enjoyment his courses provide Midwest golfers.
