The Captain: George C. Thomas Jr. and His Golf Architecture

Not many people know it, but George C. Thomas Jr. was one of the most significant figures in the history of golf course architecture. Geoff Shackelford's biography of Thomas, "The Captain, is the first in-depth look at the life and architectural philosophy of this interesting and talented man. Following World War I, Thomas began dabbling in course design on the East Coast. In 1920, he moved to California. There, he designed several of the most important and visually pleasing golf courses in the country--including Riviera Country Club, Los Angeles Country Club, and Bel-Air Country Club.