About
Gary Panks was captain of the Michigan State University golf team and has won 18 amateur titles during his lifetime.
Gary Panks was a highly influential American golf course architect whose career spanned over four decades. After graduating as captain of the golf team at Michigan State University with a BS in Landscape Architecture in 1964, Panks worked in various public planning roles before founding Gary Panks Associates in 1978. He eventually specialized exclusively in golf course design. Known for his practical approach, he aimed to create playable courses suited to all skill levels, always emphasizing enjoyable play and intuitive setup for tournaments. Panks partnered with PGA Tour pro David Graham to form Graham & Panks International, producing ten acclaimed courses together. His designs include notable layouts such as The Raven Golf Club at South Mountain (Phoenix), Grayhawk Golf Club (Scottsdale), Whirlwind Golf Club (Chandler), and Twin Warriors Golf Club (New Mexico). An ASGCA Fellow, Panks is a member of the Arizona Golf Hall of Fame and completed over 50 golf courses, leaving a lasting impact on the American Southwest’s golfing landscape.
