Clark Glasson

Last updated
Clark Glasson
Born
Franklin Clark Glasson

October 13, 1913
DiedJanuary 2, 1994(1994-01-02) (aged 80)
Other namesClark Glasson
Occupation Golf course architect
Known for9 courses designed in California, mostly in Northern California and the San Francisco Bay Area

Franklin Clark Glasson (October 13, 1913 - January 2, 1994) was an American architect known for his design and construction of golf courses in the western United States primarily during the 1950s and 60s. Over his career Glasson designed, constructed (sometimes personally), and operated nine golf courses that are still in operation. [1]

Contents

Career

Glasson was actively involved in the construction and operation of the courses he designed. He operated the Deep Cliff course in Cupertino, California from its construction in 1961 until its sale to a private golf course operator, John Telischak in 1992. [2]

In at least one instance, on the Fall River Mills course, he did the excavation and grading work himself. This course was built on the site of a former dump and was littered with "ice boxes, car bodies, and washing machines". Glasson is said to have been excavating the site one day when his backhoe became stuck. An onlooker began laughing at his predicament and when Glasson went to confront this person he discovered it was his neighbor and then owner of the Rising River Ranch, Bing Crosby. Both gentleman laughed about the situation and went on to become friends. [3]

Golf courses designed

The following is a list of the golf courses designed by Glasson. [4] [5] Ten are listed, two (Palm and Cypress) are located at the same facility.

Course NameTypeYear builtCalifornia Location# of holesPar
Arrowhead Country Club Public San Bernardino 1872
Cypress at Sunol Valley Golf Course Public Sunol
Deep Cliff Golf Course Public1961 Cupertino 18 60*
Fall River Valley Golf & Country Club Public1978 Fall River Mills 18
Palm at Sunol Valley Golf Course Public1967 Sunol 1872
Palo Alto Hills Golf & Country Club Private1958 Palo Alto 1871
San Ramon Royal Vista Golf Course Public San Ramon
Shasta Valley Golf Club Public1968 Montague 936
Sunken Gardens Golf Course Public1959 Sunnyvale 9
Twain Harte Golf Club Public1961 Twain Harte 964
Wikiup Golf Course Public1963 Santa Rosa

* denotes unique feature or aspect

Personal life

Glasson was born in San Jose, California and developed an interest in the sport of golf at an early age. He caddied at the Los Altos Hills Golf and Country Club for eight years. [6] He died in Shasta, California.

See also

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References

  1. Nikolai, Thomas (2005). The superintendent's guide to controlling putting green speed. Hoboken, N.J.: John Wiley & Sons. p. 160. ISBN   978-0471472728.
  2. "Deep Cliff history". Cupertino Courier. May 1998. Retrieved 7 March 2013.
  3. Morgan, Glenn W. (2009). Tour de fore! : golf and history in 50 states. [S.l.]: Authorhouse. p. 292. ISBN   978-1449013943.
  4. "Clark Glasson: Courses Built". worldgolf.com. Retrieved 7 March 2013.
  5. "Golf Courses designed by Clark Glasson". golfcourseranking.com. Retrieved 7 March 2013.
  6. Whitten, Geoffrey S. Cornish & Ronald E. (1993). The architects of golf : a survey of golf course design from its beginnings to the present, with an encyclopedic listing of golf course architects and their courses (Rev. and expanded ed.). New York, N.Y.: HarperCollins. p. 273. ISBN   978-0062700827.