Fred Muller passed away February 3, 2025, after a courageous battle with pulmonary fibrosis.  Fred was my first “real” boss when I was 14 in the bagroom at Crystal Downs.  He guided my journey in golf throughout high school and college, and when I realized that golf was where I wanted to be, Fred introduced me to Tom Doak as he was building his first course, High Pointe.  That led to me working for Doak for 2½ years, followed by my Masters in Landscape Architecture at the University of Michigan, then working with Tom Fazio, and, finally, on my own. 

Fred was particularly instrumental in my early golf projects at the Kingsley Club and then Greywalls at Marquette Golf Club.  Marquette’s pro, Marc Gilmore, had been the assistant pro at Crystal Downs when I was the kid in the bagroom.  We made a number of trips to Marquette and would catch up with Marc, reliving the good old days when life was simpler and the Downs was unknown to the rest of the golf world. 

Fred was a great golfer, playing on the USPGA Tour, Australian Tour, and South American PGA Tour while the pro at Crystal Downs for 42 years.  In his later years, he won the first five Hickory Opens, three at the Kingsley Club and two at Belvedere Golf Club and was an ambassador of the hickory game.  Fred was instrumental in my growth in golf, a mentor, confidant, and a brother – his presence will remain with me throughout my days, both in life and golf.