Michael J. Strantz, "Mike"

(1955 - 2005)

Born: Toledo, Ohio

Died:

Mike's love of golf was cultivated at an early age. His dad, Jack Strantz, taught him the sport when Mike was a youngster. He began working on the grounds crew at Chippewa Golf Club (Curtis, OH) when he was 14 years old. I

Mike began college as a studio art major at Miami University (OH), but after two years he transferred to Michigan State and received his degree in turf grass management.

While working on the grounds crew for the 1978 U.S. Open at Inverness Club (Toledo, OH), Mike was asked by Tom Fazio to work on his golf course construction crew in Hilton Head, SC, operating heavy equipment as a "shaper" of tees, fairways, and greens.

Working with Tom Fazio for eight years had been a great experience, but Mike was ready to take a break from golf course construction and turned from golf course work in 1986 to return to his artistic roots.

In 1993 the door to golf opened once again opened, Mike was asked to design a small golf course on Pawley's Island, SC. Caledonia Golf and Fish Club was a success, and Mike knew designing courses and seeing them built was his passion.

Nine golf courses show his talent for design and have his name: Caledonia Golf and Fish Club (SC), True Blue (SC), Bulls Bay (SC), Tobacco Road (NC), Tot Hill Farm (NC), Royal New Kent (VA), Stonehouse (VA), Silver Creek Valley (CA), and Monterrey Peninsula Country Club - Shore Course (CA).