Brian Silva
Golf Course Designer
Brian Silva has been designing new golf courses and reconfiguring existing ones for more than 25 years.
Brian became enamored with classic course design at a young age and recognized that over time, many course designers—especially in America—had lost touch with the things that constitute a truly great golf course. During the 1960s, many existing courses had been stripped down to follow a sort of template, “unnecessary” bunkers removed, trees allowed to impede on playing corridors, etc., while newer courses were being designed either for the lowest common denominator or for championships that would never be played upon them. In short, they were either too difficult, or just uninspired and boring.
Silva’s genius is that he thinks of each hole as a separate entity, rather than trying to force-fit a seamless feel over an entire course. This is why there is no such thing as a “typical” Brian Silva course design. He has no template, no “cookie-cutter” design rules to follow, except for maybe one: there are always several ways to play a hole on a Brian Silva course. It is up to the player to decide which strategy to take. This type of design strategy inspires players to try new approaches. The result is a more enjoyable game for everyone, regardless of skill level.
Brian was introduced to the art of course design when he was just a boy. For years, he went to work with his dad, John Silva, who worked with prominent course architects for decades, including course architecture scion Geoffrey Cornish. Impressed by the young man, Cornish advised him to pursue a career in course design. And the rest is history.
Silva’s original work continues to earn wide praise for its incorporation of classic design features in a modern context at celebrated courses including Black Creek, Black Rock, Cape Cod National, Old Marsh, Red Tail*, Renaissance** and Waverly Oaks*
Silva has also conducted celebrated renovations at dozens of America’s most revered courses, carefully restoring the vintage elements of Donald Ross designs (Seminole, Biltmore Forest, Augusta CC), C.B. Macdonald/Seth Raynor designs (Charleston, St. Louis) and two original A.W. Tillinghast courses (Alpine, Baltimore Five Farms). He is considered one of America’s foremost experts on the work of these great designers from golf’s Golden Age of Architecture.
