Bruce Borland was killed in the 1999 plane crash that also claimed the life of professional golfer Payne Stewart. Bruce was raised in the Peoria, Illinois area and at an early age built and maintained a putting green in his parents' backyard, tending to it meticulously.

Bruce graduated from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, with a degree in Landscape Architecture, moved to Chicago area and began designing golf courses for several firms. In 1989, he opened his own design firm, ProDesign, and a year later was offered a design position with Jack Nicklaus at Golden Bear International. Bruce had the privilege to work on many Jack Nicklaus "Signature" golf courses, including the nationally-acclaimed Collecton River Plantation in Hilton Head, SC, as well as other stateside and Indonesian courses.

At the time of Borland's death, many outside of the golfing circle had no knowledge of the significance, sacrifice and generosity that the Bartonville native brought with him on that fateful day. Bruce made four visits to Coyote Creek before his death and was scheduled for another visit the day after the plane crashed. Coyote Creek was his first signature course -the pinnacle of any golf course architect's career - designed in his own backyard. Bruce Borland has left an indelible mark upon the landscape of central Illinois through Coyote Creek Golf Course and on the hearts of his family, friends and others he touched during his 40 years he shared his life with us.