Biography
Wallace Bruce Matthews, fondly known as the Godfather of Michigan golf, designed 21 golf courses in his home state. His legacy is carried on by his son, Bruce Matthews, who has designed more than twice the original number, and his grandson, W. Bruce Matthews III, who has 24 solo designs. The elder Matthews played a significant role in shaping the landscape of golf in Michigan; after graduating from Michigan State in 1925, he navigated through the Great Depression by managing and superintending at Green Ridge Country Club in Grand Rapids. This experience gave him an exceptional understanding of golf course operations.
After the Great Depression, Matthews returned to his original passion—golf course design. In 1959, he formed Matthews & Associates with his son Jerry, and they designed 47 courses until his retirement in 1979. Some of his most enduring designs include Candlestone Inn, Jewel of Grand Blanc, Lakewood Shores, among others. Additionally, Hidden Oaks, redesigned by his grandson in 1999, stands as a testament to the family's continued legacy.
Matthews' design philosophy was minimalistic, focusing on creating player-friendly, moderate-length courses. Notably, he was known for never building a fairway bunker, as evidenced by his design of Saint Clair Shores—a par 71 measuring 6,040 yards with a rating of 67.5 and a slope of 109. Upon retirement, Matthews and his wife lived on Grand Haven Golf Club, which his family owned, designed, and operated. This course regularly featured on Golf Digest's list of top public courses in America.
Matthews' dedication to the sport was recognized with several awards, including the Golf Course Superintendents Association's distinguished service award in 1991, and his induction into the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame in 1993. Additionally, he helped establish a golf management program at Ferris State University and the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation at Michigan State, further contributing to the golf community in Michigan.