Richard Watson

Honored in 2006

Richard Watson distinguished himself as an accomplished and trusted golf course builder, designer and owner during a 35-year career that included professional collaborations with the likes of Bill Kubly, Henry Hughes, Jeff Brauer, Harold Glissmann and Lanny Watkins. 

     The Fairbury native graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1955. He had learned to play golf while stationed in the Navy at  Pensacola, Fla., and won the 1961 Lincoln publinks title while a pharmaceutical sales representative, Three years later, he entered the golf business by building the nine-hole Colonial par-3 courge in Lincoln. Hughes helped with the design and they became a team that built more than a dozen courses, including Platteview Country Club and Johnny Goodman Golf Course ih Omaha. 

 When Watson formed his own company, one of his first hires was Bill Kubly, giving the founder of Landscapes Unlimited his start. Before his retirement, Watson completed projects in 13 states (17 courses in Nebraska) and in Indonesia. He also launched the Nebraska amateur golfer of the year award in 1967.