Golf course architects Ron Forse and Jim Nagle part ways

Photo courtesy of Forse Design

Golf course architects Ron Forse and Jim Nagle are parting ways after a successful 25-year business alliance. According to the pair, the split is amicable and the two expect to continue to collaborate on projects in the future.

“We have had a fantastic run together over two and a half decades and I am naturally saddened at that coming to an end, but it is a natural evolution for both Jim and for me and I am very excited about what the future holds for both of us,” Forse said.

Ron Forse

One project on which the two will collaborate is their long-term relationship with Davenport Country Club in Pleasant Valley, Iowa. The two worked jointly on the renovation of Hugh Alison’s original 1924 design at Davenport, which took place in 2014. Since then, the firm has maintained a regular consulting relationship with the club.

Both Forse and Nagle are committed to work until 2027, though both can take on additional work.

Major projects for Forse include:

• A total renovation and original redesign of the North Nine at Athens (Ga.) Country Club to bring the nine holes into closer alignment with the club’s Donald Ross-designed main course, which Forse restored in 2009.
• The rebuild of the second hole at Hyannisport (Mass.) Club, which was drawn by Ross but never built to his specifications.
• The restoration of the Foxburg (Pa.) Country Club, the oldest continuously operating course in America, which will see the return of Victorian-era ‘steeplechase’ features.

Jim Nagle (Photo: Brett Nagy of Mottin Golf)

Major projects for Nagle include:

• This summer, he wraps a complete restoration of William Flynn’s original design of the Spring Mill course at Philadelphia (Pa.) Country Club by rebuilding the back nine, including a redesign of the finishing hole, which is not original.
• This summer the US Women’s Open is to be held at the Lancaster (Pa.) Country Club, where Nagle has consulted for 20 years, restoring Flynn’s design intent to the championship course by putting back most of his original bunkers while adding others to deal with the challenges of modern equipment.
• Nagle has also renovated the Highlands nine, originally designed by another architect, to more closely resemble the main eighteen and has also constructed multiple practice facilities.
• In 2025, Nagle commences the restoration of Dick Wilson’s North course at NCR Country Club in Kettering, Ohio.

“The future for both of us is incredibly bright,” Forse said. “I plan to get more selective in the work I take on and I cannot wait to see what Jim does now.”