Bill Coore – half of the Coore & Crenshaw design team responsible for We-Ko-Pa’s Saguaro course – was recently inducted into the Arizona Golf Hall of Fame. The 2017 Arizona Golf Hall of Fame Committee also inducted four other members including superintendent Shawn Emerson, LPGA professionals Betsy King and Kathy Cornelius and PGA section professional Cliff Whittle.
Before graduating from Wake Forest University in 1968, Bill Coore grew up in North Carolina, playing most of his early life rounds at the Donald Ross courses of Pinehurst and the Old Town Club in Winston Salem. He began his professional design career under Pete Dye and Associates, and under Dye’s tutelage, was introduced to the elements of creative style before forming his own design company in 1982. In 1986, Coore partnered with Ben Crenshaw to form Coore & Crenshaw Inc., who designed – among other courses in the Valley of the Sun – We-Ko-Pa’s No. 1 ranked Saguaro course.
Bill Coore (left) & Ben Crenshaw (right)
“I’m sure it was an easy choice for the committee after looking at his body of work,” said Matt Black, Saguaro’s superintendent. “The minimalist design elements he and Mr. Crenshaw applied to Saguaro are stunning and extremely well executed. It’s great he’s being recognized for his achievements.”
The induction ceremony will take place November 1, 2017. Contact the Arizona Golf Association for details.
