Designer Spotlight: Mike Riley Where Course Design Meets Creativity

Mike Riley redefines golf course design. His work transforms synthetic turf into a creative playground that recreates the feel of championship-level golf courses. With roots tied to the greats like Nicklaus Design and Robert Cupp, Mike brings his own brand of visionary craftsmanship to each design.

THE MASTER CRAFTER OF GREENS

Michael Riley Design reflects a passion for strong design elements and visually stunning, playable synthetic greens. Fascinated since youth by the role of form and function, Mike Riley leverages his experience working with Nicklaus Design and Robert Cupp. Understanding the value of over three decades of golf course mastery, Southwest Greens formalized a relationship to combine natural course elements with high-tech synthetic turf benefits.

Graduating with a degree in Horticulture from Clemson University and time playing professional golf, Mike was offered a pivotal role to work for the Jack Nicklaus team. As both a site coordinator and a design associate, he was fortunate to be work on Nicklaus golf courses in multiple high-profile locations including California, Tucson, AZ, Hawaii, Colorado, and Japan. He literally learned the craft of course design and construction from the ground up with one of the modern masters of the game. One of the courses he worked on, the Kiele course at Kauai Lagoons, was named Best New Resort Course by Golf Digest in 1989.

Play on a Mike Riley-designed green and you’re in a narrative where intentional, clean shapes meet the thrill of perfect shots. Every dip and trap is the result of a journey through experience and passion. Working closely with our Southwest Greens team, Mike ensures that every green is both aesthetically-pleasing and perfectly playable — whether it’s a residential backyard installation or a master plan for an estate.

STUNNING DESIGN, READY TO PLAY

For avid golfers seeking a slice of tournament-level design in their backyard, Mike’s creations are a true standout. His unique blend of design expertise and craft and synthetic turf materials delivers playable brilliance anytime. If you’re dreaming of a backyard putting oasis that rivals your favorite course, now’s the time to take the next step.

MAKE YOUR HOME A GOLF DESTINATION

Get in touch to learn how the experts at Southwest Greens can bring tour-level greens right to your Edmonton yard. Make every shot count and let your course dreams come true!