Jay Morrish, Golf Course Architect, 1936-2015

March 4, 2015 | 3 min.

BROOKFIELD, Wis. – “Golf Course Architecture is a very subjective field of endeavor, and that is good.  The game of golf would be distressingly boring if all golf course architects embraced similar design philosophies. Long live diversity!” Jay Morrish, ASGCA Fellow
 
Jay Morrish, a past president and fellow of the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA), died March 2, 2015. He was 78. ASGCA members and the golf industry will remember Morrish’s design work around the world, as well as his service to ASGCA and the game of golf.

Morrish received a degree in landscape and turf management from Colorado State University, then soon joined the construction team on the Robert Trent Jones-designed Spyglass Hill course in Pebble Beach, California. He continued to work as construction superintendent on Jones’ courses until joining Desmond Muirhead as a designer in 1967.
 
Morrish then went to work as a designer with Jack Nicklaus, ASGCA Fellow in 1972. After 10 years he went off on his own with PGA Tour player Tom Weiskopf. Their 12-year partnership generated some two dozen high-profile courses, including Loch Lomond in Scotland. In 1995, the Morrish-Weiskopf team opened The Wilds Golf Club in Prior Lake. 
 
Soon thereafter, Morrish went completely on his own and designed many new golf courses including Tehama for Clint Eastwood in Carmel, California; Stone Canyon, Tuscon, Arizona and Pine Dunes, Frankston, Texas. All of these were done with the assistance of his son, Carter Morrish.
 
Other notable designs from Morrish include: TPC Scottsdale, Scottsdale, Arizona; TPC Las Colinas, Irving, Texas; Troon Golf and Country Club, Scottsdale, Arizona; and Forest Highlands, Flagstaff, Arizona. He was also active around the world, designing courses in Spain, Canada, Australia, and Japan.
 
“Jay Morrish was a stalwart who was admired by everyone,” ASGCA President Lee Schmidt said. “His work was outstanding, and he was funny and smart. As an architect, he positively impacted the world of golf course design, and as ASGCA President he advanced the organization. When Jay spoke, people listened.”
 
Morrish became an ASGCA member in 1989 and served as President in 2002-03. Taking over shortly after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 provided a unique set of challenges, he later recalled.
 
“The United States was still in shock and we were all exploring uncharted waters as to ways of communicating, traveling and doing business,” Morrish said at the time. “Thankfully, ASGCA members were a strong group with great imagination and perseverance.”
 
Morrish is survived by his wife, Louise; children, Carter and Kim, son-in-law, Brian Coder; and grandchildren, Megan and Spencer Coder.
 
Comments on the death of Jay Morrish, ASGCA Fellow
 
ASGCA Past President Bob Cupp:
“I’m very proud of my professional association with Jay, but even more my friendship with him over these many years. He was a grand friend and storyteller. His humor was amazing. Jay could share the history of a topic that was not only factual, but tagged with humor, so everybody remembered. I’m just sorry I will not hear them firsthand anymore.”
 
Cary Bickler, ASGCA Fellow:
"Just beneath the surface of Jay's humble expression was a lion-hearted man of great talent, courage and dignity. And within the quiet space in his heart was immeasurable love for the people, places and things he treasured most...South Africa, an integrity-based life, his friends, his family, and always and forever, Louise."
 
Paul Fullmer, retired ASGCA Executive Secretary:
“Jay Morrish was a man who knew how to excel in everything he did, whether it was golf course design or big-game hunting (his home included more than 100 animals he tracked down around the world). Looking back at his presidency, Jay was the right captain for ASGCA during a tumultuous period. The world was changing and there was great uncertainty. Jay provided the senior leadership ASGCA needed.”

For more information on the ASGCA, visit www.asgca.org.

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