Dick Wilson

Dick Wilson was born in Philadelphia in 1904 and entered the profession through construction. He worked for the Toomey brothers, contractors responsible for many Golden Age projects, and helped build courses designed by Donald Ross, William Flynn and other masters. This field education gave him exceptional command of earthmoving, bunkers and drainage. After military service during the Second World War he settled in Florida and created one of the most influential practices of the 1950s and 1960s. His work is characterised by greens surélevés en diagonale; bunkers profonds aux lèvres hautes; corridors puissants; mise en scène dramatique des approches et du jeu de championnat. Principal associations include Bay Hill; Doral Blue Monster; Laurel Valley; NCR South; Cog Hill No. 4; Pine Tree; Seminole (remodelage); Royal Montreal Blue. Attribution nevertheless requires care: courses of this period were frequently products of firms, site associates and successive alteration. His significance lies as much in routing decisions as in detailed greens, bunkers, drainage and maintenance conditions. Influence also travelled through people he trained, regions he helped open to golf and professional methods he transmitted. In the broader history of architecture, his career helps explain the transition from a largely craft-based occupation to an organised international industry connected with property, tourism and public golf. The finest courses should not be judged only in their present condition, because many have been lengthened, renovated or altered by vegetation. Serious interpretation compares original plans, photographs, club archives and later work.