George Clifton, ASGCA Fellow, dies at 72
George Clifton, ASGCA Fellow, died Nov. 4, 2025, in his hometown of Deland, Fla. He was age 72.
Clifton studied horticulture and architectural drawing at the University of Florida, just as his father, Lloyd Clifton, ASGCA, had done. George spent time representing several leading suppliers of fertilizers, chemicals and seeds to the Florida golf market before turning to golf course architecture, joining his father and ASGCA Fellow Ken Ezell at Clifton Ezell Clifton (CEC) Golf Design Group.
Included in the more than 90 CEC design projects was The Villages, Clermont, Fla. In 1984, George helped his father design the first course at The Villages. Since 1989, CEC has created 801 holes of golf, helping The Villages to become the largest golf community in the world.
Besides The Villages, other golf course designed by Clifton include: Stoneybrook Golf Club, East Orlando, Fla.; Prestwick Golf Club, Ormond Beach, Fla.; Teravista, Round Rock, Texas; and Grey Oaks Palms Course, Naples, Fla.
Clifton became an ASGCA member in 2003 and a Fellow in 2024. He is survived by his wife, Terri, two children and four grandchildren.
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