Mike Klemme Biography

Immersing himself in the world of golf with intellect, emotion and pure stamina, the internationally renowned American photographer Mike Klemme has successfully captured on film arresting images that illuminate the seldom-seen views of golf. His images excite a sense of shared discovery for the viewer, a feeling of seeing even a well-known hole as if for the first time. He feels that the most gratifying compliment of his work is that it makes the viewer want to play the game of golf.

One of the most widely published photographers in his field, Klemme has contributed thousands of pictures to Golf, Golf Digest, Links, Travel & Leisure Golf, Golfdom, Sports Illustrated, USA Today, Men's Journal, The Robb Report and travel and in-flight magazines around the globe. On commissions from individual developers and publishers, he has tackled difficult assignments in Japan, Korea, Kenya, Morocco, Taiwan, Italy, Ireland, Finland, Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia. Producing work of such outstanding quality that many golf marketing professionals have come to regard him as the finest golf course landscape photographer working today. His aesthetic vision and knowledge of the subject matter are unlike those of any other photographer.

As a photographer Mike has visited over 1,500 golf courses around the world. Because of his first hand knowledge, he serves on a number of "Top 100 Panels" including Golf Magazine's panels to select the Top 100 in the World, Top 100 in the US, Top 100 You can Play. In addition to commercial assignments for developers, advertising agencies, and magazine publishers, his photos have illustrated six books, four of which Grand Slam Golf, George Peper; Golf Resorts of the World, McCallen; Golfwatching, Jim Frank; and Golf Courses of the PGA Tour, Peper were published by Harry Abrams, Inc. Mike's own book, A View From the Rough, celebrates the marriage of golf and the environment through images and hails the diligent work of the superintendents who maintain the balance of the game and nature./

Each golf course is a unique and living design. Mike enjoys the challenge of creating images that capture the special distinguishing qualities of each course that in turn intrigues the golfer. His 20 years of experience, enthusiasm and commitment to the game combine to produce matchless art that is an exciting visual story of golf.