GOLF LOSES ARCHITECT JAY MORRISH

By Torleif Sorenson on 3/5/15

The notable golf architect Jay Morrish has passed away at the age of 78. Morrish passed away on Monday in the Dallas-Fort Worth area after battling heart disease for several years.

Morrish will probably be remembered most for his design collaborations with 1973 Open Championship winner Tom Weiskopf, although in recent years he has partnered with his son, Carter. After graduating from Colorado State University, he apprenticed with Robert Trent Jones, Sr., helping to build Spyglass Hill at Pebble Beach. After two years under George Fazio, Morrish became one of two staff architects for Jack Nicklaus in 1972. Ten years later, he moved on to form his own firm with Weiskopf — a partnership that went eight years and resulted in some notable original designs, perhaps most notably TPC Scottsdale's Stadium Course.

Morrish's other critically acclaimed course designs include:

• Loch Lomond in Luss, Scotland


• The Boulders Club in Carefree, Arizona


• Double Eagle Club in Galena, Ohio


• Forest Highlands (Canyon) in Flagstaff, Arizona


• Pine Canyon in Flagstaff, Arizona


• Pine Dunes Resort in Frankston, Texas


• Golf Club at Ravenna in Littleton, Colorado


• Shadow Glen in Olathe, Kansas


• Stone Canyon in Oro Valley, Arizona


• TPC Las Colinas in Irving, Texas


• Troon Country Club in Scottsdale, Arizona

Attorney-turned-golf architecture critic Ron Whitten posted several tweets about Morrish following his passing:

Jay Morrish was one of 1st to encourage me to get involved in cse design. He knew my passion. He mentored others, too, including son Carter

— Ron Whitten (@RonWhittenGD) March 3, 2015

From my viewpoint, Jay Morrish was one of the few universally respected designers among his peers. No one ever bad-mouthed Jay.

— Ron Whitten (@RonWhittenGD) March 3, 2015

Morrish also penned a tribute to Morrish for Golf Digest this week.

Morrish is survived by his wife, Louise; children, Carter and Kim, son-in-law, Brian Coder; and grandchildren, Megan and Spencer Coder.

This writer is reminded of the epitaph for Sir Christopher Wren, architect of the 17th-century reconstruction of St Paul's Cathedral in London:

Here in its foundations lies the architect of this church and city, Christopher Wren, who lived beyond ninety years, not for his own profit but for the public good. Reader, if you seek his monument — look around you.

Indeed, for golf enthusiasts who have the means and opportunity to play some of Morrish's designs, appreciate what you see around you.


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Image via ASGCA