Biography
Ron Garl has an illustrious career dating back to 1962 as a successful golf course designer, with over 250 courses to his name. A large portion of his work is concentrated in Florida, with 103 of the 131 public courses listed under his name being based in the Sunshine State. His perhaps most recognized masterpiece is Golden Ocala, the host of the LPGA's Coates Golf Championship, notable for being the first course worldwide to integrate tribute holes. His innovative application of holes from Augusta, St. Andrew, Royal Troon, and Baltustrol led to the creation of a new discipline in the business referred to as "replica design."
Some other popular golf courses designed by Garl, concentrated entirely in Florida, include University Park in Sarasota, Indian River in Vero Beach, Victoria Hills in Deland, and Fiddlesticks in Fort Myers. The latter is a private course known to exhibit two of the most photographed holes in Florida. Beyond Florida, in Myrtle Beach, S.C., Garl's Tradition Golf Club bagged the title for South Carolina Course of the year in 2000. Spreading his design touch over to Canada, two of the courses he designed, Taboo in Ontario and Heritage Point in Calgary, are ranked in the nation's top 100.
Originally from Alabama, Garl's life turned towards the field of golf when his family moved to Lakeland, Florida. He gained his first practical experience working on maintenance at a local par-3 course as a teen, where he began dreaming of how he could improve golf holes. Following the completiton of his degree in turf grass science through a full scholarship at Florida, Garl spent several years learning under the tutelage of Robert Trent Jones and Joe Lee. Today, Garl is a perpetually thriving figure within the industry, credited for his business-like approach that has seen him become an owner of four Florida courses. His unique perspective on using dramatic bunkering and water hazards to create memorable courses from flat, featureless land continues to make him a prominent figure in the industry.