A distinguished golf course architect whose career spans over four decades
Life-long learning is a natural by-product of ever-present change. Change invites, and even compels us to explore new ideas. In the golf course design industry, this means we have an opportunity to be creative in new ways that never occurred to us before.
Cary Bickler is a renowned golf course architect known for his ability to create player-friendly designs that harmonize with the natural landscape and emphasize sustainable practices.
He has completed over 200 golf course projects throughout his career. In addition to new course designs, he is one of the nation's foremost experts on golf course renovation, remodel, and historic restoration. He is a member of the American Society of Golf Course Architects where he has served on their Board of Governors and Long Range Strategic Planning Committee.
Cary has been guest speaker as a leading expert on golf course design for several organizations including:
The Urban Land Institute
Golf Inc. Conferences
The International Association of Golf Administrators
Golf Course Remodeling University
The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America
Cary has traveled throughout the United Kingdom playing and studying the design elements of the world's most classic golf courses.
"I believe that change equals learning, and learning equals growth."
Cary Bickler is the principal and owner of his San Diego–based golf course design firm, where he has built a career defined by a deep focus on renovation, remodeling, and historic restoration. With hundreds of completed projects across the country, he has earned a reputation as one of the leading specialists in bringing classic courses back to life while adapting them for modern play.
A Distinguished Fellow of the American Society of Golf Course Architects, Cary has played an active leadership role within the organization, serving on its Board of Governors and Long-Range Strategic Planning Committee. He is also a sought-after speaker, sharing his expertise with respected industry groups such as the Urban Land Institute and the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, among others.
His architectural perspective has been shaped not only by formal training but by a deep connection to the game’s origins. Early in his career, Cary studied under noted architect Lawrence M. Hughes, who selected him to carry forward a historic design lineage. That lineage traces back through figures like Donald Ross and Old Tom Morris to Allan Robertson, forming one of the most significant “family trees” in golf course architecture.
Cary is known for his hands-on, detail-driven design approach that emphasizes precise construction documentation, reliable cost management, and close collaboration with project teams. He remains actively involved throughout construction, making frequent site visits to ensure that the finished product reflects his original design intent while staying on schedule and within budget.
Throughout his career, he has also addressed broader challenges facing modern golf, including environmental sustainability, water conservation, turf reduction, and evolving expectations around playability and course experience. His work has earned numerous honors, including a Presidential Citation and Distinguished Fellow recognition from the ASGCA, as well as national acclaim for projects like the award-winning restoration of Mesa Verde Country Club.
Recent Golf Course Design Awards
2023 Western Region Course of The Year Award Granted to Encinitas Ranch By NGCOA
Encinitas Ranch Golf Course is an 18-hole championship layout in North San Diego County designed by Cary Bickler, ASGCA, for the City of Encinitas and the Encinitas Ranch Golf Authority. Set above the coastline, the course offers rare, uninterrupted views of the Pacific Ocean from nearly every hole, creating a visual experience that stays with you from the first tee to the final green. Open to the public, the property features a full practice facility, restaurant, and pro shop alongside the championship course.
In 2023, Encinitas Ranch was recognized as the Western Region Course of the Year by the National Golf Course Owners Association, an award that highlights excellence in operations, presentation, and overall contribution to the game. The honor reflects a sustained commitment to quality and a thoughtful approach to public golf that balances playability, conditioning, and experience.
As the NGCOA notes, the award celebrates facilities that uphold the traditions of the game while adapting to the evolving demands of the golf business. For Cary, the recognition speaks to the collective effort behind the course’s success, crediting the team’s dedication in bringing the golf course design vision to life and maintaining it at a high level.
Beyond its accolades, Encinitas Ranch stands as one of the most financially successful public golf developments in California over the past twenty-five years, a testament to both its design and its enduring appeal.
“Ancient philosophy has taught us, “No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man.” This wisdom holds true for rivers, golf courses, and all of humanity”