After serving in the Navy in World War I, William F. Gordon got into the golf industry as a seed salesman. As a salesman, Gordon sold seed to architects like Willie Park Jr., Donald Ross, and Devereux Emmet.

Gordon joined the design firm of Toomey and Flynn in 1923, which he worked for 18 years. During the Depression, Gordon would become owner and manager of Marble Hall Golf Club in Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania.

After World War II, Gordon would start his golf architecture career by building courses for Donald Ross and J.B. McGovern. In 1950, he started his own practice, William F. Gordon Co., and built golf courses under his own banner for the next 23 years. His son, Dave Gordon, joined him shortly after the firm was established and helped his father on most of the projects.

A founding member of ASGCA, Gordon served as ASGCA President in 1953-1954 and in 1967-1968. He also became the first chairman of ASGCA’s Historical Committee. Outside ASGCA, Gordon founded the Pennsylvania Public Golfers Association and served as president from 1936-1940.