A native of Michigan and passionate disciple of the great Dr Alister MacKenzie, Mike DeVries is one of those rare modern course architects who not only understands the principals of great design but is also able to personally shape the features that make golf courses so appealing. His ability to work with natural ground contours enables him to produce original layouts that are sustainable, attractive, fun to play and constantly engaging.

The Kingsley Club in his home state of Michigan was DeVries’ first significant solo creation, the layout resembling his beloved Crystal Downs for the manner in which the opening nine covers the open dunes, and the back nine rollicks across more heavily wooded slopes. The top few holes at Kingsley are superb but what works best about the entire layout is the way in which the natural ground contours are incorporated into the design. Some of the green and bunker work shaping is absolutely from the top shelf.

Also in Michigan and by DeVries are Greywalls at Marquette, The Mines and Pilgrim’s Run, the first a fantastic semi-private facility that gets high marks for being an inexpensive project that still carries great strategic merit and interest. Pilgrim’s Run was really only finished by DeVries, and would have been a much better golf course had the client allowed DeVries to also have more of a hand in the routing and total control of design.

Mike DeVries is one of the designers Quality Endorsed by Global Golf Group, and he should be given serious consideration for your new course project or restoration/renovation. His selection as architect on El Boqueron, the Lost Alister MacKenzie course planned near Austin Texas is further validation of his abilities.

To contact Mike DeVries, or for an independent assessment of his suitability for your project, please email darius@planetgolf.com.au or contact the Global Golf Group.