Golf course architects John Sanford and David Ferris form new partnership

Golf course architect John Sanford, a past president of the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA), has formed a new partnership with longtime design associate David Ferris. The new Jupiter, Fla.-based firm is called Sanford Ferris Golf Course Design.

Ferris, also a member of the ASGCA since 2020, has been at Sanford Golf Design since 1997. After graduating from Cornell University, Ferris was the recipient of the Donald Ross Society Internship Award and was on-site for the construction of Michael Hurdzan’s Widow’s Walk Golf Course.

“Designing golf courses has been a labor of love and being alongside and learning from John for nearly 25 years has been a truly amazing experience,” Ferris said. “To now become partners with my mentor and begin this next chapter of our careers taking our architecture knowledge and philosophies to design and reimagine golf facilities in the 21st century is very exciting.”

From 2006 to 2019, Ferris also served on the American Society of Landscape Architects,  Florida Chapter Executive Committee. Under his leadership, the organization reestablished ties with state university programs and developed new relationships with the Florida Greenways and Trails organizations.

Ferris, who has also authored a book on John Sanford, “No Risk, No Reward’- Adventures of a Golf Course Architect.”

“For the past 25 years, David has been part of the fabric of Sanford Golf Design and a true professional in our business,” Sanford said. “His dedication and passion for course design have made it possible for Sanford Golf Design to remain relevant through the ups and downs of our competitive industry. I could not be happier to partner with David and very much look forward to the next 25 years.”

Both Sanford and Ferris have already collaborated on several golf course projects like Granite Links Golf Club, Pointe West, Juliette Falls and Madinat Makadi. Renovation projects include Hunters Run CC, Vero Beach CC, Spring Run GC and Wilderness CC. They have also collaborated with the Nicklaus company on Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point, Banyan Cay, Naples Beach Hotel and Palm Hills.

Most recently, the duo created a reversible nine-hole course at Sailfish Sands, the municipal golf facility operated by Martin County, Fla.