Biography
Dana Fry, a famous golf course architect, began his journey in the industry working on a course with Tom Fazio during his summer break from the University of Arizona. Recognizing Fry's potential, Fazio offered him a full-time position which led him to a highly successful career in golf course architecture. With over three decades of experience, Fry now operates Fry/Straka Global Golf Course Design and is globally recognized for his creative and successful designs.
Fry's association with Dr. Michael Hurdzan has also been pivotal in his career. Their collaboration began in 1988 and includes renowned golf courses such as Golf Magazine top 100 U.S. courses Calusa Pines in Naples, Florida, and Erin Hills in Wisconsin, the location of the 2017 U.S. Open. They are also credited for several other distinguished courses including Bully Pulpit in North Dakota, Naples National in Florida, Shelter Harbor in Rhode Island, Lassing Pointe in Kentucky, and Ironhorse in Kansas. Notably, six of the Hurdzan-Fry courses feature in Canadian Golf Magazine's top 100 list.
Fry's tenure with Fazio, although only spanning five years, saw the creation of remarkable courses such as Wade Hampton in North Carolina, Barton Creek in Austin, Texas, and Lake Nona in Orlando. His distinctive mark is his creative bunker schemes which differ from one course to another. For example, his course Devil's Paintbrush features a unique, multi-option par-5 eighth hole with a stone ruin in the middle of the fairway and a wide sod wall influencing the approach.
In 2012, Fry teamed up with Jason Straka, another disciple of Hurdzan, to open the Fry/Straka firm. They are currently engaged with multiple projects overseas. Fry lived in Hong Kong for five years to expand business in the region which is currently witnessing a boom in golf course construction. He relocated to Florida in 2013.