Architect
63 courses on Course Vaults
Dick Nugent (1931–2018) was an Illinois-based golf course architect who shaped the landscape of American golf design over a four-decade career. A graduate of the University of Illinois with a degree in landscape architecture, Nugent began his professional work with Robert Bruce Harris before becoming principal architect at Killian and Nugent Inc. He founded Dick Nugent Associates in 1983 and was responsible for designing or revising more than 90 courses across 12 states.
Nugent's portfolio in Course Vaults spans a wide geographic range, with particularly strong representation in the Midwest. His work at Ivanhoe Club produced multiple highly-regarded 18-hole combinations, including the Forest/Prairie layout. Other notable designs include Kemper Lakes in Illinois, which gained national attention as a PGA Championship venue, and Ko'olau Golf Club in Hawaii, known for its dramatic mountain setting. Projects such as Midland Country Club in Texas, Green Bay Country Club in Wisconsin, and The Fortress in Michigan demonstrate his versatility across varied terrain and climates.
A member of the American Society of Golf Course Architects and the USGA Green Section committee from 1982 until his death, Nugent passed the firm to his son Tim upon retirement, extending the family's design legacy.
Sources: Wikipedia article on Dick Nugent; course list from Course Vaults.
