Clark Glasson

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 (some times personally), and operated nine golf courses that are still in operation.[1]

Clark Glasson
Born
Franklin Clark Glasson

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

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 Name Type Year built California 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

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

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.
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