From the early days of clipping grass around the fairways to becoming a full-time architect, Henry Hughes had dedicated his life towards the game of golf. Son of a construction superintendent, Hughes would regularly be surrounded by famous architects like Donald Ross at a young age. After a move to Denver, Hughes would work on staff at Cherry Hills Country Club until being promoted to head greenkeeper in 1933. This was the beginning of Hughes’ career as a superintendent with some input in design work, which went on until the mid-1960s.

After serving many years as a superintendent, Hughes decided to commit full-time to golf course architecture. He and his partner Richard Watson would design courses throughout the western part of the United States, with a concentration in Colorado. Hughes would retire from architecture in 1970, but stayed active in the game for many years.

Hughes was elected to ASGCA membership in 1969.