The Legacy of Jerry Matthews and Grand Hotel

The Legacy of Jerry Matthews and Grand Hotel. . Jerry Matthews' masterful handprints are found throughout Michigan following an unprecedented career that saw him design more golf courses in the State of Michigan than any other golf course architect. For his contributions to golf design, Jerry was inducted into the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame and his work has impacted multiple generations of golfers. , Jerry started his career in 1961 after his discharge from the army, and completion of his Master's from Michigan State University with degrees in Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning. He embarked on his career working for his father, Bruce Matthews, who is the grandfather of golf course architecture in Michigan., Jerry and his father worked as a team in the 1960 and 70's, helping many of the "mom and pop" golf courses that would become the backbone of Michigan golf. Jerry, the consummate outdoorsman, learned from his father and via his education how to respect and integrate nature into his designs. Jerry was never one to promote his own name as designer, and would rather let nature be the focus of his creations., Jerry Matthews first met with R.D (Dan) Musser, Jr. in 1984. Mr. Musser had recently completed the purchase of Grand Hotel from his uncle, and Jerry was soon to be sole owner of Matthews and Associates. They would both joke how they were the upstarts taking the reins from their mentors. The first project was the comprehensive remodel of the existing nine-hole course, The Grand Nine, completed in 1986. Seven years later, Mr. Musser again sought Jerry's expertise to create a second nine hole, subsequently named The Woods. Together, these two nine holes make up The Jewel, as the 18-hole golf facility of Grand Hotel., Through the years, Jerry and Mr. Musser developed a respect and trust in one another along with building a genuine friendship. Jerry became increasingly confident suggesting new and creative ideas, and Mr. Musser was attentive and receptive. Jerry would come to credit Mr. Musser and the Grand Hotel project as influential in his personal and professional growth which subsequently led to many public accolades and awards including several from Golf Digest in the "best new public course" category., One of Jerry's "signatures" as a designer was the creation of spectacular par three holes. He would often remark that golfers like nothing better than downhill par threes over water. And, true to form, Jerry created one of the best par threes in Michigan at the 7th hole at The Jewel. This wonderful water laden par three, with fantastic views has been consistently considered one of the top 18 holes in Michigan by golf publications., Jerry and Mr. Musser spent countless days together creating the golf experience at Grand Hotel, and it was, without question, a special and meaningful place for Jerry. Jerry Matthews and Grand Hotel will be forever linked, and the friendship enjoyed between Jerry and Mr. Musser will resonate for generations as golfers continue to enjoy The Jewel.