Designer Spotlight: Mike Riley Where Course Design Meets Creativity

Mike Riley is a designer pro like no other. He turns synthetic turf into an imaginative canvas that recreates the feel of world-class golf courses. With roots tied to iconic mentors like Nicklaus Design and Robert Cupp, Mike brings his own brand of unique expertise to all his work.

THE MASTER CRAFTER OF GREENS

Michael Riley Design reflects a passion for strong design elements and exciting and functional synthetic greens. Inspired from a young age by the role of form and function, Mike Riley draws from his experience working with Nicklaus Design and Robert Cupp. Recognizing the importance of over three decades of golf course mastery, Southwest Greens formalized a relationship to bring authentic golf features with high-tech synthetic turf benefits.

With a background in plant sciences from Clemson University and a short stint playing professional golf, Mike was offered a pivotal role to work for Jack Nicklaus' design firm. As both a site coordinator and a design associate, he was happy to be participate on Nicklaus golf courses in multiple high-profile locations including California, Tucson, AZ, Hawaii, Colorado, and Japan. He literally learned exceptional golf course design and construction from the ground up with an industry pioneer. One of the courses he worked on, the famous Kiele course in Kauai Lagoons, Hawaii, won Best New Resort Course by Golf Digest in 1989.

Play on a Mike Riley-designed green and you’re stepping into a story where strategically designed shapes meet the thrill of your best game. Every hill and hazard is the result of a journey through experience and passion. Working closely with our expert team, Mike ensures that every green looks sharp and plays just right — whether it’s a home green or a premium landscape design.

EXPERTLY CRAFTED, ELITE PLAYABILITY

For golf lovers seeking a slice of tournament-level design in a personal setting, Mike’s creations are in a class of their own. His unique blend of design expertise and synthetic turf performance delivers a surface that’s always ready for play. If you’re dreaming of a backyard putting oasis that rivals a resort experience, now’s the time to explore the possibilities.

A PRO COURSE AT YOUR DOORSTEP

Contact us now to learn how the experts at Southwest Greens can bring championship design right to your Greenwich home. Make every shot count and let your skills flourish!