Growing up in Saskatchewan, Canada, Matthew Fehr and his family didn’t have much money, but they had creativity. They would build their own board games, with one of the highlights being a golf board game that Matthew’s father created out of bristle boards. This sparked a passion in Matthew for creating new worlds through golf course design.
As a young child, Matthew started drawing up golf courses on sheets of paper and immersed himself in the world of golf architecture. He discovered Golf Club Atlas in high school and became fascinated with the work of golf architects. Despite his love for designing golf courses, he pursued a career as a chef as getting into golf course design seemed like a distant dream due to its exclusivity and high costs.
However, everything changed when Matthew stumbled upon an independent game called “The Golf Club” about seven years ago. This game had an incredibly in-depth course designer tool that allowed players to design their own courses. Despite not being a gamer or tech-savvy, Matthew taught himself how to use the tool and began designing golf courses under the tag “MattyfromCanada.”
“The Golf Club” gained popularity and was eventually bought by gaming giant 2K, leading to the release of “PGA Tour 2K25.” Matthew, now one of the most respected designers in the international community, was contracted by 2K to design official courses for each new version of the game. His courses are now featured alongside renowned courses like Pebble Beach and Royal Portrush.
The world of golf course design in “The Golf Club” community is a fascinating one, with members ranging from teenagers to retirees who spend hours creating and discovering the best courses in the game. Some designers can create a course in as little as 10-20 hours, while others spend over 200 hours perfecting their masterpieces.
What sets this community apart is the camaraderie and shared passion for golf course design. Designers come together to share tips, give feedback on each other’s work, and participate in contests and tournaments. They have created a tight-knit community where friendships are formed and annual golf trips are organized to play real-life courses like St. Andrews.
The community is diverse, with designers like Ben Page and Andre Quenneville leading the way. Ben, a teacher from England, brings a wealth of golf architecture knowledge to his designs, while Andre, a pioneer in the community, has inspired many designers with his work. Together, they have helped shape the world of golf course design in “The Golf Club” community.
As the community continues to grow and evolve, designers like Adam Benjamin and Tanner Bronson have made names for themselves with their unique styles and approaches to course design. The community thrives on creativity, collaboration, and a shared love for golf, making it a welcoming and supportive space for designers of all skill levels.
In conclusion, the world of golf course design in “The Golf Club” community is a vibrant and passionate one. Designers come together to create, inspire, and push the boundaries of what is possible in virtual golf course design. Through their dedication and creativity, they have built a community that celebrates the art of golf course design and fosters friendships that extend beyond the virtual world.
