A native of Illinois, Ken Kavanaugh spent much of his college and professional lives in the warmer climate of Arizona. Ken received a degree in landscape architecture from the University of Arizona in 1976, after undergraduate work in architecture at Arizona State University and environmental science at Southern Illinois University. Kavanaugh then dove head–first into his first solo project: nine holes at the Happy Trails Resort, now known as the Great Eagle Golf Club. Kavanaugh has now constructed original designs or redesigns in nine states. His courses include Gold Canyon Golf Club in Gold Canyon, AZ; Longbow Golf Club, Mesa, AZ; Southwyck Golf Club in Houston, TX; Orchard Valley Golf Course outside of Chicago; and the Homestead at Murphy Creek in Aurora, CO. 

Kavanaugh, a scratch golfer, is a former semifinalist in the Arizona State Amateur, and winner of the 1994 Pima County (Tucson) Amateur Championship. Based on a philosophy of strong commitment to client service, the firm has remained small by choice. Mr. Kavanaugh accepts only the number of design commissions that will allow him to play an active, personal role during construction, a strong benefit for both the Project Manager and the golf course contractor.