Architect Bio: D.A. Weibring

SILVIS

D.A. Weibring, a PGA TOUR professional for 24 years, likes to have options. That's why he formed his own golf design and consulting company 14 years ago, D.A. Weibring/Golf Resources Group in Dallas. Though successful as a player, with five PGA Tour titles, Weibring enjoys exploring other pursuits in the golf business.

His new passion is golf course architecture and already he has made a mark with the highly successful TPC Deere Run in his native Illinois, which hosts the John Deere Classic - an event Weibring has won three times. Applying his career outlook to design, Weibring's bedrock principal is to maintain options for golfers of all skill levels. A variety of challenges within a single golf experience is his goal whether on one of his original designs or on one of the many renovations his firm has undertaken.

"I want our projects to engage you. If it presents variety, playability and balance, it will keep you coming back," says Weibring, who had designed 15 courses and renovated 45 others.

Steve Wolford, a former Nicklaus Design associate as well as a one-time golf course superintendent, is the lead architect of the Golf Resources Group. Sam Swanson, who assisted Weibring in the land development of TPC Deere Run, handles the real estate consulting for the company, whose early investors included legendary Byron Nelson and teacher Dave Pelz.

While Weibring stresses variety, he insists that natural features dictate. He seeks to create visually intimidating holes that do not play as such, offering ample room for high handicappers while challenging better players. His playing career influences his preference for bunkers of varying depths that frame landing zones and targets and for chipping areas around greens.

Weibring goes for a look that suggests the hole has always been there. He will tear up and start over on any part of a golf course that does not meet the criteria that a hole look as natural as possible.