Ferdinand Garbin, "Fred"

(1928 - 2009)

Born: Linhart, Pennsylvania

President: 1968 - 1969, American Society of Golf Course Architects

Garbin graduated in 1959 from Penn State University, where he received a B.A. and studied turf-grass management. After graduation, he worked with architect James G. Harrison (a student of Donald J. Ross) and married Harrison's daughter, Joan.

Garbin was involved in the redesign of several Ross creations in Pennsylvania, and became known as a champion of the redesign and restoration of classic courses. In 1983 Garbin hired to his team, design associate Sandy Rice Bigler, who was one of the first female full-time designers to be employed by a major golf course architecture firm.