Moment of Silence: Geoffrey Cornish, ASGCA, Aug. 6, 1914 ?EUR??,,????'??? Feb. 10, 2012

Geoffrey Cornish, an icon in the world of golf course design, has passed away at the age of 97.

Geoffrey Cornish, a Fellow of the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA), passed away Feb. 10 in Amherst, Mass. He was 97.

Cornish, an ASGCA Past President and native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, designed more golf courses in New England than anyone. He and his associates designed 240 golf courses in the United States, Canada and Europe, including: the International Golf Club, Bolton, Mass.; the Center Valley Club, Center Valley, Pa.; and the New Ashburn Golf Club, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. He continued to serve until his death with Mungeam Cornish Golf Design.

He wrote many books and co-authored the landmark reference book, ?EUR??,,????'??The Architects of Golf,?EUR??,,????'?? which allowed readers, for the first time, to obtain specific information about the architectural history of their favorite golf courses while learning more about the people who designed them.

He received his bachelor?EUR??,,????'???s degree in agronomy from the University of British Columbia and his Master?EUR??,,????'???s and honorary doctorate from the University of Massachusetts. Cornish was introduced to golf course architecture in 1935 when evaluating soils for Capilano Golf Club, then under construction by Stanley Thompson in West Vancouver. Cornish soon joined Thompson for training and four years later became greenskeeper at St. Charles Country Club in Winnipeg.

?EUR??,,????'??Mr. Cornish was a true gentleman and exemplified the highest traditions of ASGCA and the game of golf,?EUR??,,????'?? said ASGCA President Rick Phelps. ?EUR??,,????'??His exceptional work as a golf course architect, author and lecturer cannot be overstated. Mr. Cornish?EUR??,,????'???s contributions to the profession of golf course architecture and the golf industry will live on for generations.?EUR??,,????'??

Cornish joined the American Society of Golf Course Architects in 1967. He served as ASGCA president in 1975-76 and co-chaired the ASGCA History Committee with Dr. Michael Hurdzan, ASGCA. Cornish was a past recipient of the ASGCA Donald Ross Award and the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America Distinguished Service Award. He is a member of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame.

Cornish was predeceased by his wife Carol. No formal funeral services are planned.