CRYSTAL LAKE, Ill. -- When Michael Benkusky made the tough decision to start his own design firm in early 2005, he believed he had the talent and creativity to design spectacular golf courses. Now, the golf world believes as well.

Two of Benkusky’s designs were selected near the very top of the annual Golf Digest Best New Course Lists for 2005. The facilities, Canyata and Mattaponi Springs, were chosen second in the ‘Best New Private’ and ‘Best New Upscale Public’ rankings respectively. Benkusky was the lead designer of each course while a Senior Project Architect with Lohmann Golf Designs.
“It’s a thrill for an architect to get one course mentioned on the list, let alone two,” said Benkusky. “This is the first time I have had any of my courses receive this kind of recognition so it’s rewarding to say the least.”

Benkusky began his new firm, Michael J. Benkusky, Inc. - Golf Course Architecture, in January 2005. He leads his firm with over 17 years of experience and a resume that includes 15 new course designs. In addition to new designs, Benkusky has directed remodeling projects and restorations on more than 50 courses across the country including courses originally laid out by Donald Ross, Perry Maxwell, Seth Raynor, Tom Bendelow, Colt & Allison, Jack Nicklaus and Pete Dye.

“The mission of MJB, Inc., is to combine quality designs with a hands-on approach and a close working relationship with clients,” states Benkusky. “That was the secret of our success at Canyata and Mattaponi Springs. Because we worked extremely closely with the owners, we were able to really understand their goals and, in both cases, create a course that exceeded everyone’s expectations.”

Canyata, also selected in The Golfer magazine’s list of ‘Best New Courses in the United States’ for 2005, was designed for Gerald Forsythe on his estate in Marshall, Ill., about an hour south of Champaign.

Contact: Michael J. Benkusky, ASGCA
Michael J. Benkusky, Inc - Golf Course Architecture
815.474.8385
mbenkusky@mjbgolfdesign.com