Steve Smyers, Principal & Co-Founder

Surrounded by the game of golf since youth, Steve Smyers is both an accomplished player and a well-traveled student of the great golf courses of the world. As a player, Steve was a member of the University of Florida's NCAA Championship team in 1973.

Along with his deep appreciation for the history and traditions of the game, Smyers well-conceived design philosophy has been greatly influenced by the legendary architects of the 1920s and 30s the Golden Era of golf course design.

Spanning over 2 decades, Steves career is centered on projects throughout the U.S. and in various countries around the world including Australia, South Africa, England, Portugal, Ireland, and the Philippines. His golf course designs have attracted the likes of top daily fee, resort and residential clients, as well as private golf clubs. Blessed with vision, creativity, and imagination, Smyers has the flair of an artist along with an uncanny ability to produce variety and drama in his designs using the native landscapes as his canvas.

In addition to his professional design expertise, Steve has the personality and communication skills to effectively express his ideas to his clients and the media. His broad knowledge of the game and love for his work make him an outstanding communicator. Steve's mission of providing the highest level of excellence and service to each client, while designing golf courses that challenge, excite and reward golfers of all skill levels is simply unmatched in todays industry.

Steve is a current member of The American Society of Golf Course Architects and former member of the ASGCA Board of Governors. He also serves the United States Golf Association as a member of the Executive Committee since 2006.

Billy Fuller Golf Design has been commissioned to do a makeover renovation of Vasari Country Club in Bonita Springs.  Billy Fuller brings a strong background of golf design and agronomic experience to Vasari.  For the past twenty years, Fuller has been one of the country’s leading agronomists.  In conjunction with an extensive consulting business, Fuller was a design associate with Cupp Design where he worked on the creation or re-design of nearly 100 golf courses  including several Top 100 courses in America, and more than 40 venues that have hosted USGA and/or PGA events.    

Fuller is also well-known as the golf course superintendent at August National from 1981 through the 1986 Masters.  During Fuller’s tenure at Augusta National he developed a new and innovative approach to bunker designthat reduced maintenance cost after rainstorm events by more than 80% by controlling erosion and reducing sand contamination.  His new bunker specifications have been installed in over 500 courses in North America, and are known as Billy Bunkers in the industry.   

Combining his array of expertise in golf course operations with his design knowledge from his years with Bob Cupp enables Fuller to design strategically sound and economically affordable golf under his own banner, Billy Fuller Golf Design.  His design firm offers design for new construction and every scale of renovation in varied environments throughout North America.   

When asked to state his design philosophy, Fuller says, “Great golf design creates an enjoyable golf experience for all levels of players.  When they walk off the eighteenth green they can’t wait to return for the next round.  Strategically it offers ample risk reward opportunities from each tee.  Aesthetically the composition is excellent.  The turf conditions from tee to green are outstanding.  The course must fit harmoniously with the native environment.  And finally, the golf course is an economic success for the owner.” 

“The Club’s primary request was to offer a more fair test of golf for the membership and guests while still maintaining ample risk reward opportunities.  The newly completed Master Plan accomplishes this goal with sound strategic quality in the golf shots, a new motif that will offer a strong resemblance to the Golden Era look of the early to mid 1900’a, and the latest construction specifications to allow Golf Course Superintendent Sam Mueller and staff to provide excellent turf conditions.  Those specifications will include the latest industry offerings in turf varieties for greens, tees and fairways as well as USGA recommended greens construction specs.” 

The course closed on April 26 and local contractor Jim Glase Golf Construction commenced work.  The course is planned to reopen sometime in mid to late fall when the grow-in of the newly planted turf is complete.  “It has been exciting to work with General Manager Mark West, Golf Director Tim Harris, and the membership’s Renovation Committee headed by David Nesbit.  It has been a real team effort that involved many round-table discussions with various levels of players to ensure we addressed all strategic concerns.”