Willard C. Byrd

Willard C. Byrd (1919-2004) was a highly influential American golf course architect whose designs became synonymous with playability, environmental sensitivity, and southern charm. Born in Whiteville, North Carolina, Byrd graduated with a degree in landscape architecture from North Carolina State in 1948. After early work with the Army Corps of Engineers and the Federal Housing Administration, he founded Willard C. Byrd and Associates in 1956. Over five decades, Byrd designed more than 100 golf courses, most notably across the southeastern United States, including ten acclaimed courses in Myrtle Beach, such as Litchfield Country Club and Lion's Paw. His work transformed regions like Pawleys Island, proving new markets for high-quality courses. Byrd was also a Fellow of the American Society of Golf Course Architects and American Society of Landscape Architects. His legacy endures not only in the challenging layouts and breathtaking scenery of his courses, but also in his commitment to preserving natural settings within his designs.