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]
Clark Glasson | |
|---|---|
| Born | Franklin Clark Glasson October 13, 1913 |
| Died | January 2, 1994 (aged 80) |
| Other names | Clark Glasson |
| Occupation | Golf course architect |
| Known for | 9 courses designed in California, mostly in Northern California and the San Francisco Bay Area |
Career
editGlasson 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
editThe following is a list of the golf courses designed by Glasson in California.[4][5] Ten are listed, two (Palm and Cypress) are located at the same facility.
| Course Name | Type | Year built | Location | # of holes | Par |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arrowhead Country Club | Public | San Bernardino | 18 | 72 | |
| Cypress at Sunol Valley Golf Course | Public | Sunol | |||
| Deep Cliff Golf Course | Public | 1961 | Cupertino | 18 | 60* |
| Fall River Valley Golf & Country Club | Public | 1978 | Fall River Mills | 18 | |
| Palm at Sunol Valley Golf Course | Public | 1967 | Sunol | 18 | 72 |
| Palo Alto Hills Golf & Country Club | Private | 1958 | Palo Alto | 18 | 71 |
| San Ramon Royal Vista Golf Course | Public | San Ramon | |||
| Shasta Valley Golf Club | Public | 1968 | Montague | 9 | 36 |
| Sunken Gardens Golf Course | Public | 1959 | Sunnyvale | 9 | |
| Twain Harte Golf Club | Public | 1961 | Twain Harte | 9 | 64 |
| Wikiup Golf Course | Public | 1963 | Santa Rosa |
* denotes unique feature or aspect
Personal life
editGlasson 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
editReferences
edit- ^ Nikolai, Thomas (2005). The superintendent's guide to controlling putting green speed. Hoboken, N.J.: John Wiley & Sons. p. 160. ISBN 978-0471472728.
- ^ "Deep Cliff history". Cupertino Courier. May 1998. Retrieved 7 March 2013.
- ^ Morgan, Glenn W. (2009). Tour de fore! : golf and history in 50 states. [S.l.]: Authorhouse. p. 292. ISBN 978-1449013943.
- ^ "Clark Glasson: Courses Built". worldgolf.com. Retrieved 7 March 2013.
- ^ "Golf Courses designed by Clark Glasson". golfcourseranking.com. Retrieved 7 March 2013.
- ^ 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.