Courtesy of Colton Craig
The design firms of Steve Smyers Golf Course Architects and Craig & Coyne Golf Design have merged to create Smyers Craig Coyne (SCC).
“What makes us such a strong team is that we each bring different and specific skill sets to the table,” Steve Smyers said of his new partnership with Colton Craig and Tom Coyne.
Smyers, a seasoned golf architect with nearly 50 years in the industry, has held pivotal roles, including ASGCA president and serving on the USGA’s executive committee. A University of Florida graduate and member of the 1973 NCAA National Championship team, Smyers is also an accomplished amateur golfer, winning the 2008 Senior Crump Cup. His career has taken him around the world, designing courses on all six continents.
Over the years, Smyers and Craig have bonded over their shared passion for golf architecture. “I’m forever grateful for Steve’s mentorship,” Craig said. “He’s the Mr. Miyagi to my Karate Kid.”
Craig is an Oklahoma State graduate with honors in landscape architecture. His journey includes winning the prestigious World 100 Club Architectural Fellowship, which allowed him to study more than 50 legendary links courses in Scotland. As a 25-year-old, Craig started his own design firm.
In 2019, he met Coyne at Southern Hills during Coyne’s “A Course Called America” tour. Craig caddied for Coyne, and by the 17th hole, the two had already agreed to collaborate. “Storytelling and design have always had parallels, and Tom is one of the greatest storytellers in golf,” Craig said.
Coyne, an award-winning, New York Times bestselling author and editor of The Golfer’s Journal, brings storytelling expertise to the team. “Tom is one of the most well-traveled golfers of all time, and his passion for golf architecture makes him a rare and valuable asset,” Smyers said.
Coyne, who holds a master’s degree in creative writing from Notre Dame, added: “What drew me to Steve was our shared respect for golf and our common values. Steve is the man—we’re lucky to have his wisdom in our corner.”
The new firm brings together a baby boomer (Smyers), Gen X-er (Coyne) and millennial (Craig), each contributing their unique perspectives to the world of golf architecture. “In a time when generational tension feels high, it's refreshing to be part of a multigenerational team,” Coyne said. “We all respect each other, and our combined energy is something rare in the field.”
Craig added: “The best part of golf is the people you meet, and the second-best part is that golf is played on an undefined playing field, making golf architecture essential.”
SCC will focus on creating exceptional projects with compelling stories. The firm’s design philosophy blends the history of golf with the natural land, emphasizing strategic shot-making. SCC champions design through subtraction, focusing on simplicity, timelessness and creative thinking. Their designs encourage repeat play while honoring the traditions of the game and embracing new innovations. Instead of focusing on quantity, SCC prioritizes quality in every project.
“Steve changed my view on P&L,” Craig said. “Early on, I took any project just to get by, but Steve showed me the value of focusing on a few key projects.”
The firm’s 2025 work includes new courses in South Dakota, Georgia and Florida, and a redesign in Indiana.
“We’re in the business of creating enjoyable experiences,” Coyne said, “but working with SCC will be an enjoyable experience.”