Meet The Architect - Mike
Strantz (1955-2005)
Awarded the "1998 Architect of the
Year" by Golf World Magazine,
Tobacco Road designer Mike Strantz has made
his mark in the golf architectural
business.
Mike
helped design some of the finest golf
facilities in America during his 9 year
internship with Tom Fazio. After a 5 year
leave of absence he returned to the golf
world with a vengeance.
His first solo effort was Caledonia Golf
Club, in North Myrtle Beach, South
Carolina. This course has been deemed a "must
play" and has also been ranked 85th in the
top 100 courses by Golf Magazine. His next
major projects were Stonehouse and Royal New
Kent in Virginia, ranked 14th and 23rd
respectively, in the top 100. Another
feather in his cap is the sister course to
Caledonia, called True Blue. Located in
Myrtle Beach, True Blue has been dubbed the
"Pine Valley of the South." After
completing Tobacco Road, Mike created Tot
Hill, a stunning gem at the base of the
Uwharrie Mountains in Asheboro, NC. His
latest masterpiece is the private Bulls Bay
Golf Club in Mt. Pleasant, SC. From North
Carolina back to South Carolina, Mike
created his first private club in Bulls Bay
Golf Club. Located in the heart of
Charleston, Bulls Bay combines Mike's
creative flair with the South Carolina
lowcountry. His latest projects include
renovations at Silver Creek Valley Country
Club in San Diego, CA and a complete course
re-design at Monterey Peninsula Country Club
located on 17 mile drive in beautiful
Monterey, CA.
Fellow architects and critics have referred
to Mike's courses in terms of "sensory
overload" and having, "drop-dead signature
holes." So how does Tobacco Road stack up
against his other famous designs? Simply
put, "It's the best project I've worked on,"
says Strantz.
On Friday, June 10th, 2005 Mike Strantz lost
his three year battle with cancer. He is
survived by his wife Heidi, and two
daughters, Andrea and Dana.
