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William Flynn
The Master of Natural Golf Architecture
Flynn called himself the Nature Faker, an epithet that inspired the name of his biography.
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William Flynn Society

Celebrating Flynn’s Contributions to Golf Course Architecture, Construction, and Agronomy

Joining the William Flynn Society offers golf and golf architecture enthusiasts a unique opportunity to explore the world of one of the most celebrated golf course architects of the 20th century. Membership in the society provides exclusive access to the latest version of the Flynn biography, The Nature Faker – William S. Flynn, Golf Course Architect, archival assets, including architectural plans, historic photographs, and scorecards. Members are able to participate in golf events, podcasts, newsletters, and lectures that highlight Flynn’s contributions to the sport. Membership in the William Flynn Society provides access to an extraordinary community of golfers and golf clubs where camaraderie and experiences are centered around the golf courses of William Flynn.

Video Option II below.

William Flynn – The Nature Faker

Long before giant bulldozers and bigger budgets allowed the moving of great quantities of earth to shape the land to the architect’s vision, William Flynn utilized what nature provided, creating unique site-specific hole designs. When he elected to enhance strategy or simply provide drainage, he did so in ways that mimicked nature, resulting in reduced maintenance expenses. Unlike many early architects, Flynn chose to hide much of his work by making his architectural constructs appear natural. He referred to himself as the “Nature Faker,” a moniker that inspired the name of his biography.

Flynn’s determination to limit the number of projects he was working on at any given time was unique. This allowed him to spend considerably more time on-site to finalize plans based on intimate knowledge of the terrain. His philosophy was simple yet profound: by working with the land rather than against it, he created courses that are in harmony with their surroundings.

For more information, members may download updated versions of The Nature Faker – William S. Flynn, Golf Course Architect, and the archival assets and publications posted on this site.

William Flynn Society News

24 members of the William Flynn Society, hosted by 5 members of the Club, had the opportunity and pleasure to play William Flynn’s Spring Mill course of the Philadelphia Country Club

Flynn’s Philadelphia Favorite

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William Flynn design of the Boca Raton South Course - December 1929

Lost Flynn Courses – Boca Raton South Course

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Flynn created terrific examples of strategic design, variety and a sense of naturalness at the Boca Raton South Course. If …
Oblique Aerial Photograph of the Country Club of York 1930s

Comparison and Contrast of the Donald Ross & William Flynn Routing Plans for the Country Club of York

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If a list of great Golden Age Golf Architects is considered, William Flynn and Donald Ross would arguably be part …