Ralph Plummer spent most of his life in the Fort Worth area. He would learn the game of golf at an early age as a caddy at Glen Garden Country Club. After receiving formal education at Texas A&M University, he would launch a career as a golf professional in South Texas the early 1920’s. During that time, he traveled and competed against other top professionals, but due to lack of funds required to play the professional game, Plummer decided to proceed in another avenue.

Plummer’s golf design career began in 1927, where he helped assist architect John Bredemus on a nine-hole golf course in South Texas. He helped construct and complete the course, and eventually took over as head professional of the golf course. When the Depression hit, Plummer would resign and start to work with Bredemus.

After World War II, when Bredemus moved to Mexico, Plummer decided to take on golf course architecture full-time. During his career, he was able to design and redesign 86 golf courses. He was known as an “on-site” designer, who loved to plan and strategize.

Notable Texas courses designed, built, or reworked by Mr. Plummer include Northwood Club, Lakewood Country Club, Preston Trail Golf Club, Champions Golf Club and Colonial Country Club.

Of note is that Plummer designed, built or reworked the three Texas courses to host U.S. Open events - Northwood, Colonial and Champions - where the premium is on accuracy and course management, not brute strength.

Birthplace: Smithfield, Texas

Born: 1900

Died: 1982