I’ve worked under some world-class architects – Pete Dye, Rees Jones and David Kidd. I would be fooling myself if I couldn’t admit that I was fortunate to be in the right place at the right time to meet these legends. In April of 1985 I went to my brother-in-law’s bachelor party in Lincoln, Nebraska. The night of the party, under a harvest-moon, I visited Firethorn Golf Course while it was under construction. I was in awe. The next day I delivered my resume to Pete Dye’s office at the course and was hired on to my first golf construction job making $6.25 an hour.
 
I only worked two short jobs with Pete Dye. Later that same year I moved on to work for Rees Jones.  Rees sent me around the country working on a variety of different projects, each with unique challenges that grew my skills and knowledge of how to build a world-class golf course. Under his tutelage, I honed my shaping abilities into a precision skill that could bring an architect’s vision to life. I also learned how to deal with some sensitive environmental challenges, including building around wetlands.
 
After 11-plus years with Rees, I ventured out on my own to work with David Kidd and to start Highland Golf Services. The expertise I had developed over the years paid off greatly in the first project I collaborated on with David. Anyone who has read Stephen Goodwin’s book “Dream Golf – The Making of Bandon Dunes” understands the scope and difficulty of that project. I am so proud of what the team of people who developed Bandon was able to achieve – golf immortality. I was fortunate to continue working with David on some amazing projects including Nanea on the Big Island of Hawaii, TPC San Francisco and Queenwood in London, England. I look forward to working on more world-class golf projects in the future.
 
Over the years I’ve been lucky to have the unwavering support of my wife, Barb, and two wonderful daughters, Elizabeth and Margaret. I feel that I’m a very lucky man. I’ve been able to travel the world building golf courses, while raising a wonderful family. It’s been hard work, but I’ve loved every minute of it. That’s the way I approach my business at Highland Golf Services. I know its hard work, and I love it.  My clients see the personal touch I put on my work because I’m out there with my crew getting my hands dirty. I do not run a golf course factory like other services available. With myself and my team at Highland Golf Services, clients receive one-on-one attention from a master builder of golf courses who is focused on one project at a time. Your project.
 
Thanks,

Jim Haley