Todd's Story
An 11 handicap, thrilled to break 80, Todd began charting his path to golf course design at the age of 16 by working on the grounds crew of a historic Seth Raynor golf course under the tutelage of a wise, no-nonsense superintendent. A simpler, authentic-time for golf - no irrigation tech, no spray tech, just eight staff, and a one-arm mechanic (best he's ever seen) doing it all...that took great pride in keeping the course pristine!
Todd was nearly fired his first day for overheating a vintage 1965 John Deere tractor but somehow managed to stay on through college. This superintendent, with 40 years of experience and an entire cast of exciting characters, not only taught him agronomic principles and practices, course set-up, and a million other minor items, he also taught Todd the value of hard work, rising every day at 5 am, discipline, responsibility, and leadership. Thank you, Larry Mueller and the staff of Minnesota Valley Country Club!
After college, he apprenticed at Wadsworth Golf Construction Company, installing drainage and irrigation on projects across the Midwest, working his way up to shaping and finishing, and eventually construction project management. Taking his experience from maintenance, construction, and a Master's degree in Landscape Architecture, he secured an opportunity in 1995 to join John Fought and Bob Cupp on the west coast as an associate golf course designer. Under the guidance of these two very gifted architects, he became the in-field design representative implementing several high-profile projects across the west, honing his skills as an architect and shaper along the way. You see, great golf courses are created in the field through intensive site analysis coupled with an understanding of great design and hands-on touches.
Before establishing GrassRoots Golf Design in 2010 (formerly iCon Golf Studio), Todd spent ten years as the lead golf architect and principal designer for Design Workshop in Denver, Colorado. Here, he had the opportunity to work on over 50 different golf course projects of all sizes and complexity all around the country. Along the way, he teamed with PGA Tour players Hale Irwin and Phil Mickelson on several designs, including the award-winning Glacier Club and Lodestone courses.
Todd's 25-year career spanning design, construction, maintenance, and operations has given him the necessary skills to become a seasoned professional in all areas critical to creating and constructing successful great golf course projects. He is passionate about golf design, golf's history, and the future growth and sustainability of the sport.
Todd regularly speaks at the Golf Industry Show, ASLA conferences, and ULI on Alternative Golf Course, The Future of Golf Developments, Stormwater Management, and other topics. He has won numerous industry awards for golf course design, sustainability, and land stewardship and won a prestigious Honor Award from the ASLA for his golf design of the Glacier Club in Durango, Colorado, and Design & Environmental Excellence awards for City Park Golf Course in Denver, Colorado.
Helpers
Design-Build Team, City Park GC
The Holy Grail
