George C. Thomas
Name:
George Clifford Thomas Jr.Country:
USALived:
[1873-1932]. Born on Oct 3, 1873 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Died on Feb 28, 1932 in Beverly Hills, California (aged 58).Original/Home Club:
Occupation:
Golf course architect, botanist and author.Turned Pro:
Frequently designed in collaboration with fellow Pennsylvanian William Park "Billy" Bell, much of Thomas's work is to be found in Los Angeles and southern California. Thomas's best known designs (all in California), include but are not limited to:
Riviera CC (1926) / Bel-Air CC (1926) / Los Angeles CC (redesign of North course, 1927) / Ojai Valley Inn (1923) / Palos Verdes GC, LA (1924) / Stanford University GC (1930) / Griffith Park, LA (Harding course, 1923; Wilson course, 1927).
Born in 1873, Thomas grew-up in Philadelphia, where he graduated from the University of Pennsylvania before joining his father in the investment bank Drexel & Company. As a very competent golfer, he also developed a keen interest in course design and the prevailing "Philadelphia School" of golf course architecture.
After the First World War, in which he served and attained the rank of Captain, Thomas moved to California in 1919. It was here that his flair for course design really took hold. He struck-up a working relationship with William Park "Billy" Bell, with whom he co-designed many renowned southern California courses. Thomas considered the layout at Riviera Country Club to be his masterpiece ... the only one of his courses that has not been substantially altered.
In 1926 Thomas published his seminal book "Golf Course Architecture in America", in which he advocated the use of wide fairways and providing options for golfers to shape their shots. He also believed that hazards were important but should not “unduly penalize or make it hard to recover.” Above all, Thomas thought a golf course should blend into its natural surroundings and provide a layout based on diversity and memorability.
Sony Open in Hawaii: played at Waialae Country Club near Honolulu, the Sony Open takes over the spotlight from The Sentry as the PGA Tour’s calendar-year opening event (Jan 15-18). The Sentry (not being played in 2026) was formerly known as the Tournament of Champions, with a field typically restricted to golfers who won a PGA Tour event in the previous calendar year.
Dubai Desert Classic: the DP World Tour’s first Rolex Series event of 2026, is contested for the 37th time (Jan 22-25). First won by Englishman Mark James in 1989, it now boasts a four-time winner, Rory McIlroy. Played on the Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis course, this once desert-surrounded course is the long-time flagship for Golf in Dubai.
Our visit last month included two rounds at Golf de Chantilly, one of France’s most prestigious clubs.
It offers two superb layouts: Le Vineuil, a five-star championship course with a rich history, and Longères, an excellent four-star course that provides a strong and enjoyable test.
The wider Paris region offers plenty more. Courses such as Fontainebleau, Golf de Saint-Germain, and several other top-rated layouts make this area one of Europe’s most rewarding golf destinations, offering a mix of woodland, heathland, and parkland designs.
The Dutch: "It's no' just a game", as they say in Scotland, and that's certainly true at The Dutch. With 5-star services throughout, a lavishly comfortable Loch Lomond-inspired clubhouse, and a superbly designed and presented golf course, one could not ask for more from this top-end private club.
Join us at The Dutch from August 21–24 for the Festival of Golf, featuring the HotelPlanner Tour. Experience four days of top-tier sport, live music, incredible food, and unexpected surprises. Explore the grounds, connect with others, embrace new challenges, and dive into an unforgettable celebration. Click here to buy tickets.
Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.
Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
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