Dan F. Maples
Dan was born in Pinehurst, North Carolina in 1947 into a family whose roots in golf course construction reach back into the 19th Century. The Maples family, since Dan's great-grandfather James, have been involved with golf either as professionals, superintendents, builders or architects.

See the Maples Family Tree for details.

At the age of six, Dan designed his first golf course and was handling earth moving equipment before he had his driver's license. During summer vacations Dan worked for his father gaining valuable experience in golf course construction and maintenance.

After receiving a Bachelor's Degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Georgia in 1972, he worked as a club pro for two years. In 1974 Dan joined the firm of his father, Ellis, as a full partner. Together, the team of Ellis and Dan Maples helped create 17 superb courses including Grandfather Mountain in Linville, NC, and the Country Club of North Carolina Dogwood Course in Pinehurst.

Since forming Dan Maples Design, Inc. in 1984, Dan has gone on to become one of the most successful golf course designers in America. His impressive list of courses includes many of America's finest. Dan is a past president of the American Society of Golf Course Architects.

Ellis Maples
Ellis was born in Pinehurst, North Carolina in 1909. As a young teen-ager, Ellis worked for his father in his capacity as construction superintendent to Donald Ross at Pinehurst Country Club. After attending Lenoir Rhyne College Ellis worked in the Pinehurst Pro Shop and as assistant greenskeeper to his father at Mid Pines and Pine Needles Resorts in Pinehurst.

After serving in the Armed Forces during WWII, Ellis supervised the construction of the last design done by Donald Ross, Raleigh Country Club. In 1953, he decided against a career as a professional golfer and opened up his own practice as a golf course architect.