Matthews’s association with Weed began in 1986 while maintaining the books for Weed’s golf course-related companies. In 1996, Matthews became the full-time business manager for Bobby Weed Golf Design, Inc., bringing years of accounting and managerial experience to the company. Matthews holds a Masters of Accounting degree from the University of North Florida.
“My relationship with Bobby has been more of a friend than just employer/employee, and I treasure the relationship,” said Matthews.
Just three years after he formed Bobby Weed Golf Design, Bobby Weed tapped Chris Monti to join him, as the company’s growth and success already had begun to escalate.
“I always knew Chris was well rounded and mature beyond his age,” said Weed, “with the right educational foundation as well as desire and motivation to succeed in this business. To this day, he has a tremendous work ethic, is extremely thorough and is well respected by contractors, vendors and everyone in the industry.”
Monti’s early interest in golf course design led him to study at Cornell University, in Ithaca, N.Y., the alma mater of several other prominent members of the profession. Upon graduation with his B.S. in Landscape Architecture, Monti received Cornell’s prestigious Frederick Dreer Award, an endowed scholarship that allowed him a year-long study of golf course architecture in the British Isles. This proved to be a formative experience that influenced his thoughts on strategy, maintenance and the integration of golf and development.
“I traveled, walked, saw 220 courses and played a few,” said Monti, who holds a B.S. in Landscape Architecture from Cornell. “As a resident of St Andrews, I immersed myself in the history and design techniques of golf course architecture.”
The first two projects to which Weed assigned Monti were StoneRidge Golf Club, in Stillwater, Minn., and Spanish Oaks Golf Club, in Bee Cave, Texas.
“I put Chris in the field to give him experience with construction and design,” Weed said. “I’ve always given my associates a lot of latitude to do a combination of field and office work, leading to a total involvement in every aspect of the process, including not only equipment, but installation of materials and project sequencing.
“For being a small shop by choice and hands-on, Chris and I work seamlessly together,” said Weed.
Other select Bobby Weed Golf Design projects with which Monti has been involved that have gained national attention include Medalist Golf Club, in Hobe Sound, Fla.; Culver Academies Golf Course, in Culver, Ind.; Palma Ceia Golf and Country Club, in Tampa, Fla.; New Orleans Country Club, in New Orleans; and The Deltona Club, in Deltona, Fla.
The Weed/Monti design partnership has flourished through the years.
"During my two decades with Bobby, our industry has experienced significant booms and busts,” Monti said. “Knowing we’ve been able to stay busy and provide value for our clients, under every market condition, is the most gratifying aspect of achieving this milestone.
“There is significant benefit for future clients in being able to engage a team that has worked together through it all. Given my working relationship with Bobby and the responsibilities and latitude I have, I’m not sure I could have it any better.”
Matthews notes that the firm is fortunate to have Monti as senior design associate.
“Chris has totally embraced Bobby’s design philosophy,” said Matthews, “which has allowed us to be successful. His professional excellence and personality enable us to provide an outstanding product to our clients.”
For more information on Bobby Weed Golf Design, see www.bobbyweed.com.
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