Ron Kirby knew from a young age he wanted to make a career in the golf world. As a caddie, caddie master, and maintenance crew member at a local country club growing up, Ron gained all the incentives he needed to stay involved with the sport of golf. After graduating from the University of Massachusetts–Stockbridge, Ron took a position as design associate with Dick Wilson, for whom he worked until 1963. Ron then served under Robert Trent Jones, Sr. as a design associate on courses in the United States, Europe, and the Caribbean. Having gained extensive experience in golf course design and construction, Ron founded his own design firm in 1970. Fellow architect Gary Player served as a consulting partner in the firm, and the team's projects spanned the globe. Eventually, Ron sold his firm to Golden Bear, Inc. and joined Nicklaus Design Services as overseer of all European projects. Today, Ron is temporarily retired from the Nicklaus organization, but he is retained by various firms as a special consultant. With a five–decade career under his belt, Ron has garnered the reputation as one of the most respected and appreciated golf course designers in the industry. His talent has been used to create courses in a lengthy list of countries that includes Ireland, Japan, South Africa, Italy, France, Denmark, Germany, Spain and Austria, and he is still involved with international projects today.