The golf course architectural firm of Arthur Hills/Steve Forrest and Associates is rightfully considered among the game’s elite, worldwide practitioners, having designed more than 185 original courses in the United States, Europe and Asia. The firm has also renovated more than 125 existing courses including renowned clubs like Oakmont, Inverness and Oakland
Hills. The team of professionals at Arthur Hills/Steve Forrest and Associates leverages more than 120 years of individual golf course design experience. Collectively they create courses that are at the same time bold, unique and timeless.
Arthur Hills, the founding principal of Toledo, Ohio-based Hills, has more than forty years of experience in designing and restoring golf courses for real estate development communities, private, resort and upscale public golf facilities. Mr. Hills earned a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Michigan State University and a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from the University of Michigan. He has long played a role of leadership in the golfing community, serving as a President of the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA), a Fellow in the American Society of Landscape Architects and a founding member of the Donald Ross Society.
Contrary to the traditional tee-to-green method, Mr. Hills believes in designing the golf course beginning at the eighteenth green and working his way back to the first tee. The purpose of approaching his design this way: to find the ideal, natural green and tee sites, then determine the best way to put them in sequence. Working from a platform based on natural tee and green sites allows Mr. Hills and his colleagues to maximize views and integrate the land’s best inherent features, while employing classic design principles. This practice has been implemented in more than 90% of the golf courses designed by Hills.
Arthur Hills/Steve Forrest and Associates has built a reputation that is rooted in the ability to construct distinctive courses which are innovative yet traditional, providing a challenging and dramatic golf course while adhering to the highest standards of environmental sensitivity. Led by Arthur Hills’ example, the firm has proven that a balance between the environmental responsibility and investment objectives is achievable.
Arthur Hills Designed Golf Courses Have Received Numerous Consumer and Industry Awards Over the Years, Including:
Golf Digest “Best New Upscale Public Course”, Longaberger Golf Club in Nashport, OH
Golf World “Ranking the game’s 25 hottest architects”, #2 Arthur Hills
Links Magazine “America’s Best Resorts”, Bay Harbor Golf Club in Petoskey, MI
Golf Magazine “The World Top 100” for The Golf Club of Georgia in Atlanta and the TPC at Eagle Trace in Coral Springs, FL
GolfWeek Magazine “Golf Architect of the Year”, in recognition of the design of Bonita Bay Club in Bonita Springs, FL Golf Monthly International “Best New Courses in Europe” for Quinta da Marinha Oitavos Golfe in Cascais, Portugal and “Best New Courses in the Caribbean” for Wyndham El Conquistador Resort – Los Croabas, Peurto Rico
NGCOA Golf Business Magazine “Course of the Year”, for Fox Hills Country Club in Plymouth, MI