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Wallace Bruce Matthews

(1904 - 2000)

Born: May 29, 1904

Died: Sep. 28, 2000, Grand Haven, Michigan at age 96

In 1925, Bruce graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in landscape architecture.

Bruce was a Stiles and VanKleek prodigy. He was friends and worked with early icons of modern golf: Walter Hagen, golf professional; O.J. Noer, scientist; Tom Mascaro, equipment inventor.

His course design rule was, "design for the masses." He believed that the average golfer, the majority of a course's income source, should not be punished with undue hardships through the round. He never built a fairway bunker. That's not to say sand didn't flank the fairways, as many of his courses were built through the sandy soils of western and northern Michigan. He was concerned about the owner making a profit. He was a very good router and the minimalist designs took full advantage of the existing features.

COURSES DESIGNED
Michigan
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Blossom Trails, Regulation Course
1565 Britain Ave
-
Michigan
49022
616/925-4951
Year Built: - 1958
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Chisholm Hills Golf Club
2395 S Washington Rd
-
Michigan
48911
517/694-0169
Year Built: 1955
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Crystal Lake Golf Club
8493 Fairway Rd
-
Michigan
49617
231/882-4061
Year Built: - 1970
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Fellows Creek Golf Course
2936 Lotz Rd
-
Michigan
48188
734/728-1300
Year Built:
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Grand Haven Golf Club
17000 Lincoln St
-
Michigan
49417
616/842-4040
Year Built: - 1965
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Hickory Hills Golf Course
2540 Par View Dr
-
Michigan
49201
517/750-3636
Year Built: - 1971
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Hidden Oaks Golf Course
1270 W Monroe Rd
-
Michigan
48880
517/681-3404
Year Built: 1970
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Lakewood Shores Resort, Serradella Golf Course
7751 Cedar Lake Rd
-
Michigan
48750
517/739-2075
Year Built: - 1969
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Mitchell Creek Golf Course, CLOSED 2005
2846 Three Mile Rd N
-
Michigan
49686
CLOSED
Year Built: 1982
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Old Channel Trail Golf Course
8325 N Old Channel Trl
-
Michigan
49437
231/894-5076
Year Built: - 1926
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Pine Hills Golf Course
6603 N Woodbury Rd
-
Michigan
48848
(517) 651-9700
Year Built: 1961
Video
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Riverside Country Club
245 E Columbia
-
Michigan
49015
(616) 962-3921
Year Built: 1942
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Riverwood Golf Course & Resort -Red-White
1313 E Broomfield Rd
-
Michigan
48858
517/772-5726
Year Built: - 1932
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Salem Hills Golf Club
8810 W 6 Mile Rd
-
Michigan
48167
(248) 437-2152
Year Built: 1963
1 Rankings / Reviews
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Sandy Ridge Golf Course
2750 W Lauria Rd
-
Michigan
48642
(989) 631-6010
Year Built:
1 Rankings / Reviews
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Scott Lake Country Club
911 Hayes Rd Ne
-
Michigan
49321
(616) 784-1355
Year Built: 1967
1 Rankings / Reviews
Video
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Shamrock Hills Golf Course
31071 County Rd 390
-
Michigan
49055
Year Built: 1969
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St. Clair Shores Country Club
22185 Masonic Blvd
-
Michigan
48082
810/294-2000
Year Built: 1975
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Sunnybrook Country Club
624 Port Sheldon Rd Sw
-
Michigan
49418
616/457-1102
Year Built: - 1960
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Tyrone Hills Golf Course
8449 Us Hwy 23
-
Michigan
48430
(810) 629-5011
Year Built: 1962
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University Park Golf Club
2100 Marquette Ave
-
Michigan
49442
231/773-0023
Year Built: - 1976
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Walnut Creek Country Club
25501 Johns Rd
-
Michigan
48178
(248) 437-7470
Year Built: 1972
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West Ottawa Golf Club
6045 136th St
-
Michigan
49424
616/399-1678
Year Built: - 1962
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White Lake Golf Club
6777 S Shore Dr
-
Michigan
49461
(231) 893-4232
Year Built: 1916, 1927
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Wolverine Golf Club, CLOSED 2006
17201 25 Mile Rd
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Michigan
48042
810/781-5544
Year Built: - 1965