March 2023

GOLF GOLF HISTORY

February 20, 2023

DICK BAILEY: MR. OUTSIDE Founder, Course Designer, Community Developer and Pilot

By William Godfrey

One of the founding fathers of Forest Highlands was Dick Bailey. Bailey, who passed away in June 2020, was a vital contributor to the early development of this treasured community and decades-long friend and partner of Jim Bartlett. The Bailey Bartlett Group was instrumental in locating the original site, arranging the financing for the purchase of multiple land parcels, and selecting the team of Jay Morrish and Tom Weiskopf to design the golf course. They were also responsible for many other contributions that occurred under the radar of most of the membership. “My long-time partner was principally responsible for the conceptualization and execution of what many would agree was a superb plan for the community,” explained Bartlett, former managing partner. “It included an outstanding golf course, a superb clubhouse and a collection of wonderful neighborhood parks.” The expansive parcel of land that would become the Canyon Golf Course was where Bailey spent countless hours from the outset. “Dick’s presence on site during construction of the Canyon with Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish, played a large part in the successful design of the golf course,” shared Mike Kosak, first superintendent of Forest Highlands.

Historical Photos: Richard Bailey & Jim Bartlett

“Dick enjoyed the dirt as did Tom. The two of them spent many a day together walking and discussing every hole,” Kosak recalled, from his home in South Carolina. “My fondest memories were the days I tagged along as they talked about the course. There are so many memories of my time with Dick; the golf outings and stories would take up pages. His architectural background was helpful in every aspect of what became the Forest Highlands community,” said Kosak. “It was an honor to have known him.” Bailey and Kosak also spent many hours and months working together on another important amenity, as they were the individuals primarily responsible for the design and build-out of the Putting Course at Forest Highlands. Richard Hinton Bailey was born in 1934 in East Cleveland, Ohio. He attended Ohio State and Western Reserve University and studied architecture. Bailey was an accomplished pilot who started flying single engine planes in his 20’s. He purchased his first plane, a Beach Bonanza, while living in Vail, Colorado, where he first met Bartlett. Over the years Bailey upgraded his aircraft, eventually to a Turbo Commander. “We flew hundreds of hours together. I was always in the right seat and never touched an instrument, Bartlett chuckled. “My contribution was conversation and occasionally…I handed him his coffee. We got along really well. He was articulate, artistic and level-headed. Over all the many years I knew him, there was never a cross word.”

Historical Photos: Tom Weiskopf, Jay Morrish & Richard Bailey

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