The architect speaks with GCA about the start of his career, approach to restoration projects and latest new courses
By Richard Humphreys |
Over the past 30 years, Raymond Hearn has developed a diverse portfolio, covering pre-1930s restorations, Golden Age projects, renovations at storied clubs and new golf course designs.
Hearn is currently a very busy man and can be found working on restoration, remodelling and new course design in Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Michigan, Montana, New Jersey, New York and Texas. GCA spoke with the architect about how he got into golf course design and his current workload.
What was your journey into golf course architecture?
After getting a degree in turfgrass science from Michigan State University (MSU), I worked at the Country Club of Detroit – a Colt and Alison gem – as an assistant superintendent. I then went back to MSU to study landscape architecture, and I helped create the ‘Golf Course Architecture’ emphasis area with assistance from Professors Tony Bauer and Warren Rauhe.
Pete Dye was one of my ASGCA sponsors and his advice is something I carry with me, even today: “You are only as good as your most recent work, get to the British Isles as much as possible and don’t be afraid to take chances.”
I founded my company in 1996 and one year later, began co-teaching a golf course design seminar with Rauhe. Over six years, I visited many top courses in England, Ireland and Scotland, and I learned as much as I taught. These trips were the best thing that could have ever happened to me as a young designer.
Hearn restored and increased shot value on the Robert Trent Jones Sr layout at Metedeconk National in 2022 (Photo: Evan Schiller)
Hearn says he was honoured to be featured on a plaque alongside Robert Trent Jones Sr and Roger Rulewich (Photo: Ray Hearn)
You’re known for sympathetic restorations of early 20th-century golf courses. How do you approach such projects?
There needs to be a balance between honouring an architect’s original intent and accommodating the modern game. You cannot simply recreate golf from when that course was built – green speeds, mowing lines, tree growth and hitting distances have changed. Then, to bring the design forward without losing its soul, you must undertake a lot of research into discovering the course’s past to chart its future.
At Aurora CC in Chicago, Hearn led a renovation, which included changes to the thirteenth, pictured (Image: Raymond Hearn)
I have been blessed on my recent projects to have a wealth of historic materials at my disposal. At Crestmont in New Jersey, I worked with original Donald Ross sketches, historic photos and material from the Tufts University archives, while at Midlothian (Illinois), Pottawatomie (Indiana) and Aurora (Illinois), I had century-old plans, aerials and photos to guide me.
Hearn’s 2025 sympathetic restoration of the eleventh green at the Donald Ross-designed Crestmont CC in New Jersey (Photo: Cresent CC)
What is the latest on your new design work?
The Cardinal at Saint John’s Resort in Michigan is my latest 18-hole design to open. It has received strong reviews from resort golfers, as well as those competing in the LIV Golf event in August 2025. It was a great rush watching Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau and others navigating my design.
I am also working with Boyne Golf on numerous projects at resorts they operate in Maine, Michigan and Montana. This work includes a new par-three layout at Harbor Springs in Michigan. Doon Brae at The Highlands opened last year – it is a nine-hole walking course that pays homage to some of the greatest green designs around the world through the use of creative contours, strong variety in varied green sites and memorable short game challenges. For Sugarloaf Resort Carrabassett Valley, Maine, I created construction plans for a nine-hole par three course with incredible views of the majestic Bigelow Mountain Range.
Hearn’s plan for the restoration of the first hole at Donald Ross Memorial Golf Course in Harbor Springs, Michigan (Image: Ray Hearn)
The 18-hole course at The Cardinal at Saint John’s Resort, Michigan opened to the public on 22 June 2024 (Photo: Saint John’s Resort)
As my portfolio shows, variety fuels me. I love working on historic gems, public revivals, resort builds and short courses. Here’s to the next milestone!
Hearn continues to restore Midlothian Country Club, one of the greater Chicago area’s oldest clubs (Photo: Ray Hearn)
This article first appeared in the July 2026 issue of Golf Course Architecture. For a printed subscription or free digital edition, please visit our subscriptions page.