About
Jerry Matthews was dubbed the 'Johnny Appleseed' of Michigan golf for designing or remodeling more than 200 courses, making him one of the most prolific architects in the state’s history.
Jerry Matthews was a legendary Michigan-based golf course architect who left an immense mark on the state's landscape with over 200 course designs and remodels. Born in Grand Rapids in 1934, Matthews began his career at age 12 working on the maintenance team for his father, famed architect W. Bruce Matthews. After earning degrees in landscape architecture and urban planning from Michigan State University and serving in the U.S. Army, he joined his father's firm and eventually took over as president in 1979.
Known as the “Johnny Appleseed” of Michigan golf, Matthews was celebrated for his skill in blending natural terrain with course design, favoring minimal disturbance and natural routing. His notable Michigan courses include Timberstone Golf Course, St. Ives Golf Club at Tullymore Resort, Hawk Hollow, and The Jewel at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. He was a past president of the American Society of Golf Course Architects and a respected educator at Michigan State, teaching golf course design and construction techniques.
Matthews earned induction into the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame in 2005 and was widely admired for his humble, gracious nature. He passed away in 2022, leaving a legacy that defines modern golf architecture in Michigan and beyond.
