Bill Dietsch

Bill Dietsch (William H. Dietsch, Jr., 1928-1999) was a golf course architect who never got the accolades and headlines that he deserved. However, he did earn the admiration and respect of those whose lives he touched and Bill, as he was known, is listed in The Golf Course, a seminal work on golf course architecture by Geoffrey Cornish and Ronald Whitten.

Bill Dietsch received a solid foundation in golf course design and construction supervision, especially in greens shaping while working 12 years for legendary golf course architect Robert Trent Jones, Sr. from the mid-1950s to 1967.  Bill nurtured a solid foundation in golf course design and construction supervision, with special emphasis on greens shaping by working for the legendary Robert Trent Jones Sr. Bill mastered the craft for 12 years from around 1955 to 1967, working as an apprentice.  Under Jones Sr.'s tutelage, Bill was able to establish and have his name credited. Some of the courses that bear his name together with his mentor are Upper Montclair Country Club, NJ, Chattahoochee Country Club, Ga., Corpus Christi Country Club, TX, and many others.

Bill went out on his own and set up his office in Florida. He designed courses such as Margate Executive Golf Course, Lakeview Golf Club, and Oriole Golf Club.  Throughout his career, Bill had around 35 courses credited to his name where he accomplished either golf course design and construction, supervision, remodeling, consulting, or maintenance services.

Bill's professionalism and attention to detail were traits that impressed everyone he worked with. They also appreciated his sincere and diligent pursuit of excellence in his work. He was a model of honesty and integrity in a business that could lend itself to wheeling and dealing. He staked his reputation on his work, and those who hired him reaped the benefits of his work ethic.

He was a perfect model for any young person being exposed to the golf industry.  Perhaps contrary to his mentor, Bill was low-key and unassuming.   But for those whom he worked with, he was known for his honesty, integrity, professional work ethic, and always pursuing excellence in his work.

A number of Courses designed by Bill Dietsch are included on golfproperty.com and are shown below. 

Image courtesy of Joel Jackson