Who's who: Les Furber

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  • Laura Davies
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Who's who: Les Furber

  • Name:

    Les Furber
  • Country:

    Canada
  • Born:

    Born on Feb 23, 1946 in Tisdale, Saskatchewan, Canada.
  • Original/Home Club:

  • Occupation:

    Golf course architect.
  • Turned Pro:

  • Website:

    https://www.gdsgolf.ca

Golf course design

The majority of Les Furber-designed golf courses are to be found in his native Canada. The output from his firm, Golf Design Services (GDS), also includes a few design projects in Europe and the United States, and the first 18-hole course in Cuba. Jim Eremko is the best known partner to have worked with Furber. Furber's best known designs include, but are not limited to:

CANADA:
Balfour, BC (2002) / Barrhead, Alb. (1990) / Belmont, BC (1992) / Bootleg Gap, BC (2002) / Bridges at Claresholm, Alb. (2005) / Carnmoney, Alb. (1992) / Chester GC, N.S. (1990s, extension to 18 holes) / Christina Lake, BC (1986, extension to 18 holes) / Crowsnest Pass, Alb (1995) / Fairview Mtn, BC (1991, major redesign) / Fairwinds, BC (1983) / Gallagher's Canyon, BC (1980, with Bill Robinson) / Glasgow Hills, BC (2001) / Gilwood, Alb. (1987) / Links of GlenEagles, Alb. (1996) / Golden, BC (1996, addition of second nine) / Granite Hills, Man. (2007) / Hanna G&CC, Alb. (2005) / Kelowna Springs, BC (1990) / Mayfair Lakes, BC (1989) / Meadow Gardens, BC (1994) / Minnewasta, Man. (1989) / Morningstar, BC (1990) / Northlands, BC (1997) / Okanagan GC, BC (1994, Quail course) / Picture Butte, Alb. (1993, redesign) / Predator Ridge, BC (1991, Predator course) / Quarry Oaks, Man. (1992) / Radium Resort, BC (1988, Springs course) / Redstone Resort, BC (2007) / Riverway, BC (1994) / Salmon Arm, BC (1994, major redesign) / Silvertip, Alb. (1997) / St Eugene, BC (1999) / Storey Creek, BC (1989) / Trickle Creek, BC (1991) / Vulcan, Alb. (2007, addition of second nine).

UNITED STATES & CARIBBEAN:
Eagle Falls, MT (1999, major redesign) / The Ranch, MT (2003, originally called Phantom Hills) / Varadero, Cuba (1999).

BEYOND NORTH AMERICA:
Baden Hills, Ger (2005) / Beroun, Czech (2009) / Engadin, Switz (1998, Zuoz-Madulain course) / Karlstejn, Czech (1993, with Jim Eremko) / Klosters, Switz (2005, nine-hole course).

RENOVATIONS & RESTORATIONS:
In addition to Furber's best known new designs and major redesigns (listed above), he has also undertaken many renovations and restorations, not least at some of Canada's most prestigious courses, including: Banff Springs, Calgary GC, Canmore, Canyon Meadows, Capilano, Earl Grey, Edmonton G&CC, Gallagher's Canyon, Geneve (Switzerland), Gorge Vale, Kananaskis, Kelowna G&CC, Lake Okanagan, Marine Drive, Mayfair G&CC, Nanaimo, Point Grey, Qualicum, Revelstoke and Shaughnessy.

WITH ROBERT TRENT JONES SR:
From 1969-1980, while working for Robert Trent Jones Sr, Furber was involved in the design and build phases of several renowned "RTJ" courses. These include: Chamonix, Fra / El Bosque, Spain / Geneve, Switz / Glyfada, Greece / Hamburg-Ahrensburg, Ger / Horseshoe Bay, TX / I Roveri, Italy / Kananaskis, Canada / Los Naranjos, Spain / Mijas, Spain / Moor Allerton, Eng / North Hills G&CC, AR / Playa Dorada, Dom Rep / Pevero, Italy / Royal Dar Es Salam, Morocco / Troia, Port / Royal Valderrama, Spain.

Did you know?

One of Canada's best known golf course architects, Furber's fifty years' experience in creating golf courses was laid on solid foundations. During the early part of his career, from 1969 until 1980, he honed his design skills while working with the legendary Robert Trent Jones Sr. During these 11 formative years, Furber worked on "RTJ" projects, including several in Europe, Morocco and the Dominican Republic.

Branching out on his own in 1980, Furber became the founder and president of Golf Design Services (GDS), based in Canmore, Alberta. GDS developed a varied Canadian and international portfolio, including new designs, redesigns, renovations and restorations. As well as many new designs in his native Canada, GDS also crafted the first modern–day course in the Czech Republic (Karlstejn), the first 18–hole course in Cuba (Varadero), as well as other layouts in the United States, Switzerland and Germany.

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Tournaments

Women’s (British) Open: the last women’s major championship of the season is hosted by Royal Porthcawl GC. It’s the first time this fabulous seaside links course has hosted the event (July 31-Aug 3).

Walker Cup: the 50th playing of this prestigious men’s amateur event sees the GB&I go head-to-head against the defending USA team at Cypress Point Club, California (Sept 6-7). After that, all eyes turn to Bethpage State Park on Long Island, NY, where the American and defending European professional teams engage in the 45th Ryder Cup (Sept 27-29).

Who's Who

Lottie Woad: 21-year-old Woad burst onto the professional scene in July, with wins in the Women’s Irish Open (as an amateur) and three weeks later in the Women’s Scottish Open (as a professional). She nearly picked-up a major championship, placing third in The Evian in the same month.

Pádraig Harrington: the ever-likeable Irishman added the (British) Senior Open Championship title to his stellar array of tournament successes. His win came on Sunningdale’s spectacular Old Course. Harrington had already bagged the U.S. Senior Open title in June this year.

The Dutch GC, The Netherlands

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.

Prince's Golf Club, Kent (UK)

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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