Who's who: Perry Maxwell

  • Padraig Harrington
  • Laura Davies
  • Annika Sörenstam
  • José María Olazábal
  • Michelle Wie
  • Edoardo Molinari
  • Lee Trevino
  • Natalie Gulbis

Who's who: Perry Maxwell

  • Name:

    Perry Duke Maxwell
  • Country:

    USA
  • Lived:

    [1879-1952]. Born on June 13, 1879 in Princeton, Kentucky. Died on Nov 15, 1952 in Tulsa, Oklahoma (aged 73).
  • Original/Home Club:

  • Occupation:

    Banker; golf course architect.
  • Turned Pro:

    n/a

Roll of Honour

Founding member of the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA) (1947).

Golf course design

Regarded as one of America's great golf course designers, Maxwell's best known work includes, but is not limited to: Cherokee Hills GC, OK (1924) / Colonial CC, TX (1936, with John Bredamus) / Crystal Downs CC, MI (1927, with Dr Alister MacKenzie) / Lakewood GC, AL (1947, Dogwood course) / Jimmie Austin CC, Univ of Oklahoma (1951) / Old Town Club, NC (1939) / Prairie Dunes CC, KS (1937, first nine; full 18 completed by his son Press Maxwell in 1957) / Saucon Valley CC, PA (1943, renovation) / Southern Hills CC, OK (1936).

Did you know?

From 1931 until 1934, Maxwell teamed-up with Dr Alister MacKenzie, forming one of the most formidable design partnerships in the United States. After MacKenzie's death in 1934, Maxwell not only busied himself with new designs, but also a considerable amount of renovation work, which included several top courses, including Pine Valley, Philadelphia Country Club, National Golf Links and Augusta National.

In the post-World War II era, until his death in 1952, Maxwell co-designed and renovated several courses with his son J. (James) Press Maxwell (1916-2000), who became a noted golf course architect in his own right.

Find a course

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Tournaments

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.

Recently visited

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 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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