Ken Killian, ASGCA Fellow died on Sept. 20, 2009 at his home in Granada Hills, Calif. A Past President of the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA), serving from 1986-87, Killian was 78.
Killian was a 1957 graduate of the University of Illinois, earning a degree in City Planning and Landscape Architecture. He began his golf course architecture career with ASGCA Founding Member and the first ASGCA president Robert Bruce Harris in Chicago. In 1964, he and fellow Illinois graduate Dick Nugent joined forces and formed the Chicago-based firm Killian and Nugent. He and Nugent parted ways in 1983 and he formed Killian Golf Design Group, which he operated in Illinois and Southern California until his death.
A prolific designer credited with courses throughout the United States, including Hawaii, and Asia, Killian was also a frequent lecturer at golf industry conferences worldwide. He co-authored the book “Planning and Building a Golf Course” for the National Golf Foundation.
The firm of Killian and Nugent created dozens of courses, including Kemper Lakes Golf Course, Long Grove, Ill. and Tuckaway Country Club, Milwaukee, Wis. Killian Golf Design Group created courses such as Crickentree Golf Course, Blythwood, S.C.; Valle Grande Golf Club, Bernalillo, N.M. and Eagle Creek Golf Course, Lake Shelbyville, Ill.
Killian is survived by his children. A memorial service has been held, and gifts in his memory may be made to the ASGCA Foundation.
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