Scottsdale, Arizona, United States: With the passing of Tom Weiskopf, the world has lost a golf icon and a true gentleman.

Winner of 28 tournaments during an illustrious playing career highlighted by victory in the Open Championship at Royal Troon in 1973 and four runner-up finishes at The Masters, Weiskopf passed away on August 20 at the age of 79.

The American was a prolific golf course designer/co-designer, responsible for 70-plus courses around the world. Included among them was Loch Lomond Golf Club in Scotland, The Dunes at Shenzhou Peninsula on Hainan Island in China and Troon’s flagship facility, Troon North Golf Club (with Jay Morrish) in Scottsdale, Arizona.

“The industry has lost one of its best with the passing of Tom Weiskopf, and Troon has lost a dear friend,” said Troon Executive Chairman and Founder Dana Garmany.

“Ron Despain, Jeff Spangler and I have countless memories of travel while working on various projects with Tom. His family is in our thoughts during this difficult time,” added Garmany.

Weiskopf played a significant role in the creation and subsequent growth of Troon. In the late 1980s, Weiskopf, Morrish, Garmany, developer Jerry Nelson and his Japanese partners aligned to build Troon North Golf Club.

The project was the impetus for Garmany to trademark the ‘Troon Golf’ name for the purpose of creating a company that could handle payroll for the Japanese partners and protect them from any management risks.

Soon after Troon North opened in 1990 to rave reviews, Garmany’s payroll company quickly grew into something much bigger and the modern-day golf management company was born.

“Tom was a great friend and supported Troon throughout the years,” said Troon Senior Vice President of Science and Agronomy Jeff Spangler, the original Superintendent at Troon North Golf Club.

“He had a great eye for golf course design, agronomy and was open to innovate ideas. He was a trend-setter in the biggest ways, finding the delicate balance between old and new. He will be missed; the golf world lost one of the best,” added Spangler.

Troon-managed Tom Weiskopf-designed/co-designed golf courses include:

• Black Desert Resort (currently under development in Ivins, Utah)
• Capital Canyon Club in Prescott, Arizona
• La Cantera Golf Club in San Antonio, Texas
• Monument at Troon North Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona
• Pinnacle at Troon North Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona
• The Ocean Club in Paradise Island, Bahamas
• The Ridge at Castle Pines North in Castle Pines, Colorado
• Troon Country Club in Scottsdale, Arizona