Press Maxwell
Born in Ardmore, Oklahoma, in 1916, James Press Maxwell was born into a family well known for golf course architecture. His father, Perry Maxwell, was highly regarded in the golf architecture world and Press followed in the footsteps of his father.
After completing his schooling, Press was apprenticed to his father and, as a young man learning his craft, he assisted his father in building the famous layout at Southern Hills in Tulsa, Oklahoma, during the Depression. After serving in World War II and having to take care of his father while in poor health, Maxwell began doing his own design work. In addition to designing or remodeling over 20 courses in Colorado, Maxwell's fine hand can be seen in many great layouts around America such as Southern Hills in Tulsa, Austin Country Club, and Prairie Dunes in Kansas.
Maxwell was elected into the American Society of Golf Course Architects in 1953 and served as ASGCA President from 1960-1961. He was well known as an architect and became recognized for his well-contoured, challenging greens. His ability to create sophisticated green structures lead him to do green remodeling at world-famous courses like Pine Valley Golf Club and Augusta National.