Floyd Farley

Floyd Farley was born in Kansas City and was a passionate and talented golfer for decades before turning his attention to course design, winning the South Central PGA Section Championship in 1937 and 1942.

He started golf as a caddy at age 12 and, as a player, was a part of one of the top high school teams in Kansas history in 1925. Also on that team at Rosedale High School in Kansas was Kansas Hall of Famer Jug McSpaden, who was runner-up in the 1937 PGA Championship and finished fourth at the 1947 Masters.

In 1931, Farley came to Oklahoma and became head pro at Twin Hills Golf & Country Club in Oklahoma City. At 25 years of age, in 1932, he designed his first course – Woodlawn Golf Club in Oklahoma City – and stayed on as head pro. After discovering his new love of golf architecture, he designed more than 100 courses, including new designs of some 40 courses in Oklahoma and renovations or additions to many others.

Farley escorted A.W Tillinghast on his visit to Oklahoma, a trip that resulted in designs for Tulsa Country Club and The Oaks. He also credited Perry Maxwell and William Bell as influences. After returning from a stint in World War II, in 1941, Farley designed and built now-defunct Meridian Golf Club in Oklahoma City. He owned that course until 1961.

In addition to Kickingbird, some of his notable Oklahoma designs include Quail Creek Golf & Country Club, Arrowhead State Park Course, LaFortune Park and the Woodbine Course at Mohawk Park in Tulsa, John Conrad in Midwest City, Adams GC in Bartlesville, Lew Wentz in Ponca City, Roman Nose State Park and dozens more.