Overview

Since 1988 William R. (“Billy”) Fuller has been Design Associate and Senior Agronomist with Robert E. “Bob” Cupp of Cupp Design, Inc..  Billy has been responsible for meshing agronomic technology with design and construction programs.  His involvement begins with the first day of planning a new course, and continues through to the Grand Opening.

 Education

Billy graduated in 1972 from North Carolina State University with an emphasis on Turfgrass Management after spending three years studying Civil Engineering.  From there he served five courses in a management capacity as Golf Course Superintendent and/or Director of Golf Course Maintenance Operations, including Seabrook Island Golf Club (Charleston, S.C.), Wildewood Country Club (Columbia, S.C.), Palmetto Dunes golf Club (Hilton Head Island, S.C.), Kiawah Island Resort (Kiawah Island, S.C.) and Augusta National Golf Club (Augusta, Georgia).

Augusta

In preparation for the Golf Course Superintendent’s position at Augusta National, Billy was privileged to be on the cutting edge of Creeping Bentgrass management in the southeast U.S., which is unquestionably one of the most difficult parts of North America to manage this cool season turf variety.  He also received vast experience in new construction, course renovations, and grow-in at the above-mentioned facilities (each representing either new construction or extensive renovations).  It was under his direction (at Augusta National) that the conversion from Bermudagrass to the faster more competitive Bentgrass was completed.  While at Augusta National from 1981 to 1986, Billy continued to fine tune an extensive tournament preparations program that to this day is considered to be one of the most prestigious events in the world of sports.  Having such extensive experience in the construction and grow-in phases of golf development, Billy’s ultimate goal was to be a part of a world-class golf course design and development firm. 

Cupp Design

He began this process in 1986, when he left Augusta National in good standing in order to consult full time with golf course designers on post-construction programs as related to design and construction, and joined Cupp Design in 1988 as the Senior Agronomist and Design Associate.  It was during the period from May of ’86 to August of ’88 that he also served as General Manager through the startup and establishment of Port Armor Golf & Country Club at Lake Oconee, Georgia.  He was responsible for the entire operations of the club, which went on to attain the ranking of #2 course in the state of Georgia as voted by several state and national publications, finishing just behind #1 Augusta National.