Xenophon Hassenplug was born in Bellevue, Ohio, in 1908. Hassenplug studied civil engineering at Ohio Wesleyan and Toledo Universities, and had no intention of becoming a golf course architect. His first experience on a golf course came in 1946, as he was involved in the planning, irrigation, and seeding of Overbrook Country Club in Philadelphia. The architect, J.B. McGovern, had fallen ill, so Hassenplug took over the design and completion of the course.

Hassenplug’s career in the golf architecture world took place shortly after the completion of Overbrook Country Club, by assisting Dick Wilson on a couple of Pennsylvania golf courses--Radnor Valley and Westmoreland C.C. After assisting in the design layouts, Hassenplug started his own practice, incorporating golf course design with his background in civil engineering. Ed Beidel, ASGCA, joined his practice in the 1980s, and worked with Hassenplug until his death.

Hassenplug was elected into the ASGCA in 1976 as an Associate member, and held that position until 1979, when he was promoted to Regular status. He would become a Fellow in 1991 and would remain a member of the ASGCA until his death in 1992.