Designer Spotlight: Mike Riley Where Course Design Meets Creativity

Few match Mike Riley's eye for golf-inspired landscapes. His work transforms synthetic turf into a custom-designed green space that mimics the feel of championship-level golf courses. With roots tied to legendary names like Nicklaus Design and Robert Cupp, Mike brings his own brand of artful precision to every project.

THE MASTER CRAFTER OF GREENS

Michael Riley Design reflects a passion for strong design clarity and eye-catching but playable synthetic greens. Drawn to the craft early on by the role of topography and layout, Mike Riley leverages his experience working with Nicklaus Design and Robert Cupp. Valuing the legacy of over three decades of golf course mastery, Southwest Greens formalized a relationship to combine natural course elements with advanced synthetic turf performance characteristics.

With a background in plant sciences from Clemson University and an early pro golf career, Mike was offered an amazing offer to work for Jack Nicklaus' design firm. As both a site coordinator and a design associate, he was fortunate to be involved with Nicklaus golf courses in various regions around the globe including Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii and Japan. He literally learned the craft of course design and construction from the ground up with an industry pioneer. One of the courses he worked on, the famous Kiele course in Kauai Lagoons, Hawaii, was named Best New Resort Course by Golf Digest in 1989.

Play on a Mike Riley-designed green and you’re stepping into a story where clean, thoughtful shapes meet the thrill of a well-played round. Every hill and hazard is the result of years of mastery. Working closely with our turf specialists, Mike ensures that every green looks sharp and plays just right — whether it’s a private practice putting green or a full estate course.

STUNNING DESIGN, READY TO PLAY

For golf enthusiasts seeking pro-style greens in their own space, Mike’s creations are a true standout. His unique blend of design vision and craft and synthetic turf materials delivers a surface that’s always ready for play. If you’re dreaming of your personal bachyard putting green that rivals your favorite course, now’s the time to make it a reality.

MAKE YOUR HOME A GOLF DESTINATION

Contact us now to learn how our team can bring championship design right to your Vancouver home. Relish every round and let your game shine!