Fred Garbin, a Fellow and Past President of the American Society of Golf Course Architects and member since 1961, died September 6 in Pennsylvania. He was 81.
Garbin partnered with his father-in-law and fellow ASGCA Past President Jim Harrison in a firm headquartered in western Pennsylvania. A graduate from the School of Agronomy at Penn State University, Garbin was noted for his artistic ability, both on paper and in crafting golf courses that complemented the landscape. He was particularly sensitive in his remodeling work of Donald Ross courses, as Harrison was a close associate of Ross and taught Garbin a love for the work and thought process of the prolific golf architect.
Garbin designed and remodeled more than 100 golf courses, primarily in Pennsylvania, New York, Virginia and Ohio, though he did branch out to the Caribbean. Among the courses to his credit were Sewickley Heights Golf Club, Sewickley, Penn.; Coamo Springs Golf Club, Coamo, Puerto Rico; Crossgates Golf Club, Millersville, Penn.; The Links at Erie Village, Manilus, N.Y. and Blacksburg Country Club, Blacksburg, Va.
Garbin is survived by his wife Joan and son Calvin Peter of Lincoln, Neb. Per his wishes, no memorial service will be held. Contributions in Garbin’s name may be made to the ASGCA Foundation.
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