About
Ron Kern is a third-generation golf course architect, having grown up directly involved with golf design through both his father and the influential William Diddel.
Ron Kern entered golf course design in 1986, carrying forward a family legacy as a third-generation architect deeply rooted in classic golf architecture traditions. Growing up watching legendary designer William Diddel and his father Gary shape courses, Kern developed an early eye for the game’s strategic and aesthetic elements, having started playing golf at age four and competing through high school and college.
A Purdue University civil engineering graduate, Kern brings a technical precision paired with an appreciation for the Golden Age architects like Donald Ross and Alister Mackenzie. He focuses on respecting the natural character of land while creating layouts that challenge players with thoughtful strategy rather than gimmicks. His hands-on approach to construction and remodeling projects is well-known, having led significant redesigns such as the comprehensive overhaul of Old Oakland Golf Club’s 27 holes in Indiana, where he harmonized bunker styles and routing to enhance both challenge and enjoyment.
Kern’s work has earned praise from golf legends and club members alike, recognized for longevity and playability that endure through changing times. He remains active in course restoration and renovation, blending classic design principles with modern techniques to ensure courses remain relevant and engaging for decades.
