All his life, John Fought has enjoyed building things. What he's constructed is a successful, multi-faceted career.

In September 1977, Fought, now 43, capped a stellar amateur career with a crushing 9-and-8 rout of Doug Fischesser in the U.S. Amateur final at Aronimink Golf Club. In the 20 years since, he enjoyed a successful, albeit brief, time as a touring professional, and now he's receiving growing acclaim in the field of golf course design.

"There's nothing like walking up the final fairway and winning a championship," he says from a point overlooking The Reserve, a nearly completed 18 at a two-course complex just west of Portland, Ore. "The rush you get from hitting that shot on the last hole and winning elevates you to a point that I can't describe. But over time, the feeling does fade. Golf course design is more of a constant, and although I love both, from an ego standpoint, when I'm gone, this is still going to be here."

Fought's desire for a place in history remains the reason he maintains his Amateur victory in such high esteem. "To have your name on the trophy," he says in serious reflection, "alongside names like Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus and Bobby Jones, that is a special thing -- something no one can ever take away from you."

Fought took a dogged determination into that Amateur, primarily because of the events from the year before, when he led his quarterfinal match after 15 holes, 2 up, only to lose 16, 17 and 18. "That really bothered me," he says, "because I thought I was a better player than that."

In '79, his first full year as a professional, he won twice and earned $108,427, then the third highest amount ever for a rookie. Over time, injuries and a desire to spend more time at home with his family would shorten his playing career. He disagrees with the now-popular belief that he could have done both successfully. "I spend 75 hours a week working on this," he says while waving a hand toward a set of blueprints. "Tell me when I could have time to play. Playing the tour is a daily thing; every week is another production. You're a professional. Period."

But he counts his playing ability as a uniquely held asset in the design business. "Just because a guy plays great golf does not mean he's going to be a great designer," he says. "I do think you do have to understand what golf is. You've got to have a vision and an imagination. And I don't think you're ever good enough."

Fought did not come to the design business with a formal education in the field -- his college degree was in accounting -- but his work ethic and enthusiasm made others sit up and take notice. Working as an assistant to Bob Cupp, Fought's most renowned work is Pumpkin Ridge. "I've always wanted the Amateur to be played on one of my courses," he admits, "and I'd love to have the Open as well, if it ever gets to that point. But I've always wanted to bring great golf to the Pacific Northwest.

"I didn't want to start down here," he says as one hand hovers just above floor level, "and maybe 20 years from now get the opportunity to work on a great project. Just like an accomplished player goes from shooting 120 to 100 to 80, I was able to accelerate my learning and experience over a period of five years or so. Working with Bob allowed me to skip four or five levels and get to another level quicker." -- Rich Skyzinski