Renowned Golf Course Designer Dies

John Harbottle III, is survived by his wife, Teresa, and children, Johnny and Chelsea.

John Harbottle III, a member of the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA) and president of John Harbottle Design of Tacoma, Washington died May 24, 2012. He was 53.

Harbottle?EUR??,,????'???s love for the game of golf began as a small child, as he was the son of Pacific Northwest Hall of Fame golfers. Harbottle studied landscape architecture at the University of Washington, where he earned his degree. He began his career in 1984 working with legendary Pete Dye (past president of the ASGCA) on construction and design.

Regarding Harbottle?EUR??,,????'???s experience working with Dye, he said, ?EUR??,,????'??Pete gave me the opportunity to work in both the office and in construction. He showed me the importance of spending time in the field and of using a talented construction crew to perform the work.?EUR??,,????'?? Later, the two collaborated on many projects throughout the world.

Extensive travel to Scotland allowed Harbottle to study great courses and golf traditions, which formed the basis for many of his own designs. Harbottle also had a keen appreciation for ?EUR??,,????'??Mother Nature?EUR??,,????'?? and said, ?EUR??,,????'??Our goal is to create natural looking golf courses with a links touch; timeless classics that fit the terrain as if they have always existed. The indigenous character of the links courses makes them not only appear a natural part of the landscape, but also allows them to function as a sustainable part of the ecosystem.?EUR??,,????'??

The ASGCA was founded in 1946 by 14 leading architects, the American Society of Golf Course Architects is a non-profit organization comprised of experienced golf course designers located throughout the United States and Canada. Harbottle became an ASGCA Associate Member in 1992 and a Regular Member in 1996.