Arthur Hills, who designed and renovated more than 350 golf courses around the world, was as a pioneer in the field of golf course design.
A native of Toledo, Ohio, Hills died May 18. He was 91.
Hills was a graduate of both Michigan State University, where he was a member of the golf team, and the University of Michigan, where he earned a degree in landscape architecture. He formed his golf course architecture firm, which eventually transitioned to Hills, Forrest, Smith, Golf Course Architects, in the 1960s.
Hills designed more than 200 golf courses around the world and restored more than 150 others. His design portfolio includes Bonita Bay, Naples, Florida; The Golf Club of Georgia, Atlanta; Bighorn Golf Club, Palm Desert, California; Keene Trace Golf Club, Lexington, Kentucky; and Hyatt Hill Country Resort, San Antonio, Texas. Hills-designed courses have hosted many top amateur and professional tournaments, including U.S. Opens and the Ryder Cup.
"As a kid drawing golf holes and dreaming about becoming a designer, I would read the magazines and marvel at the articles about new courses," ASGCA president Forrest Richardson told the ASGCA. "One was Tamarron in Colorado, a new course by Art Hills set in a rugged valley with steep cliffs. Eventually I got to see it firsthand, and it inspired me with its bold greens and creative routing."
An environmental pioneer, Hills designed the first Audubon Signature Sanctuary courses in the United States, Mexico and Europe. ASGCA past president Pete Dye once called Hills "the Mayor of Naples" for the number of private country club courses that he designed in Southwest Florida.
"He started the business by placing an ad in the Toledo, Ohio, Yellow Pages under 'Golf Course Architect' while operating a landscape contracting business," said his longtime partner Steve Forrest. "I had the great privilege of learning all aspects of golf course architecture from a distinguished professional practitioner and humble gentleman over 42 years. Arthur became a father-like figure to me who was a mentor, an instructor, exhorter and admonisher while always trying to improve his own skills and increase his personal knowledge every day."
Hills is an inductee into both the Ohio and Michigan Golf Halls of Fame and received a lifetime achievement award from the Michigan Golf Course Owners Association.
Hills served as ASGCA president in 1992-93. Survivors include wife Mary, eight children, 24 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be at Reeb Funeral Home, Sylvania, Ohio, on Sunday, May 23, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. A funeral Mass will be at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Sylvania on Monday, May 24, at 11 a.m.