Gary Stephenson understands that a great golf course and surrounding development must have a solid foundation. As a result, he spends a tremendous amount of time studying topographic maps to develop land plans and golf course routings that work with existing land forms. This approach creates a golf course and development that work together as a seamless unit, rather than having elements that appear to be forced afterthoughts. This method of planning also saves tremendous time and cost as bulk earthworks and landscape "reveg" are kept to a minimum.

Above all else, our goal is to understand the desires and needs of the owner. We strive to create an environment where the civil engineers, golf architects, landscape architects, and other development team members work together to keep costs under control in all areas of planning, design and construction. Working with the owner and their development team, is the best way to reach our goal ... to build a golf development that is a great source of pride and financial success.

GARY STEPHENSON BIOGRAPHY
Gary Stephenson grew up in the North Dallas suburb of Richardson, Texas. As one of five children in an athletic family, Gary was involved in all types of sports throughout his youth and school days.

Upon graduation from high school, he enrolled at Lubbock Christian College, where he worked toward a Biology Degree while also pitching for the nationally ranked Chaparral baseball team.

After graduating from LCC in 1987, Stephenson enrolled in the Park Planning and Landscape Architecture Department at Texas Tech University to pursue a career in the field of golf course design. While at Texas Tech, Gary received national recognition with many honors and awards for design excellence. He then graduated in 1990, with a Degree in Landscape Architecture.

Stephenson was then hired by the Scottsdale based golf course architecture firm of Graham & Panks International, which was a partnership between former US open Champion, David Graham, and golf course architect, Gary Panks. It was during his time with GPI that Gary developed and enhanced his ability as a golf designer and land planner on many high profile golf developments.

Always an admirer of the outdoors, Gary has worked diligently to develop a style of golf design and land planning that works with the natural character of the land. This approach not only makes a golf course development pleasing to the eye, but it also saves valuable time and reduces costs as construction is less complicated and demanding.

In 1997, the firm of Graham & Panks International was ended, and Gary started his own design firm called THE LINKSMEN. Since that time, Stephenson has had the opportunity to design courses with golf greats such as Byron Nelson, Phil Mickelson, and Steve Jones.

In 2004, Gary Stephenson was voted into the American Society of Golf Course Architects. He has since given up his ASGCA membership.

The following is a partial list of courses that Gary Stephenson has worked on since 1990