Who's who: Les Furber

  • Torrey Pines - South course, host of the Farmers Insurance Open
  • Prince's GC, England
  • Torrey Pines - South course, host of the Farmers Insurance Open
  • Terras da Comporta, Dunas
  • Monte Rei G&CC
  • Marco Simone GC (Italy); host of the Ryder Cup 2023
  • Pebble Beach host of the US Open; US Women's Open; Pebble Beach Pro-Am
  • Marco Simone GC

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

The Masters: The 88th Masters Tournament at Augusta National sees LIV golfer Jon Rahm defend his title against the world’s best. Pressing hard will be world No.1 and 2022 champion Scottie Scheffler and world No.2 Rory McIlroy (April 11-14).

Chevron Championship: the women’s major championship season gets underway for the second year at its new Carlton Woods home outside Houston, Texas. World No.2 Lilia Vu defends (April 18-21).

Who's Who

Nelly Korda: records a perfect start to 2024 with four wins out of her last four appearances on the LPGA Tour, a feat last achieved by Lorena Ochoa in 2008. Korda's win at the T-Mobile Match Play brought up her 12th LPGA Tour victory.

Scottie Scheffler: narrowly missed out on matching Nelly Korda’s three-in-three, when he placed second at the Houston Open. This followed back-to-back wins at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and The Players. Like Korda, he remains comfortably ahead in the official world golf rankings.

Marco Simone Golf & Country Club

Marco Simone Golf & Country Club: With a clubhouse that might befit a Roman Emperor, and a golf course to match, you can be sure of a memorable outing at Rome's most talked about golf facility.

Jim Fazio's original layout was much changed to create a modern Ryder Cup course ... now one of the Eternal City's (and Italy's) most revered.

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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