David McLay Kidd's journey into the world of golf course design is a testament to the power of serendipity and the impact of a single, fortuitous connection. In his late twenties, Kidd was working for Gleneagles Golf Developments, a subsidiary of Scotland's iconic Gleneagles resort, when he received a call that would forever change his life's trajectory. The call came from Mike Keiser, a Chicago-based entrepreneur who had recently sold his greetings card company and developed a passion for golf course development. Keiser had purchased a vast tract of sandy land on the coast of southern Oregon and was seeking a designer to bring his vision to life.
What makes Kidd's story particularly intriguing is the serendipitous nature of his introduction to Keiser. Through a close friend of Keiser's, Rick Somers, who is also involved with Gleneagles Golf, Kidd was connected to Keiser. This connection, as Kidd humorously notes, was made possible by the fact that 'there aren't any Scottish architects' available for hire. This seemingly small detail, however, turned out to be a pivotal moment in Kidd's career.
Kidd's initial visit to Bandon, Oregon, was a turning point. He was immediately drawn to the potential of the site, and his father, Jimmy, who was also involved in the industry, shared his son's enthusiasm. Despite having never built a new golf course before, Kidd was selected to design Bandon Dunes, a project that would later become a landmark in his career. This decision, in many ways, was a leap of faith, as Kidd admits that he was 'in his late twenties and had never built a new golf course.'
What makes Kidd's story particularly fascinating is the contrast between the unpredictability of his rise to prominence and the seemingly random nature of his initial connection to Keiser. In an industry where timing and networking are crucial, Kidd's success can be attributed, in part, to the fortuitous circumstances that brought him and Keiser together. This highlights the importance of being open to unexpected opportunities and the value of a strong network in the golf course design industry.
Thirty years later, Kidd is one of the industry's most renowned names, a testament to his talent and the impact of that single, serendipitous connection. His story serves as a reminder that sometimes, the most significant opportunities in life come from places we least expect, and that a single, fortuitous encounter can change the course of our careers forever.
