Robert Dedman, 76; Philanthropist and Golf Course Operator

Robert H. Dedman Sr., 76, a philanthropist and founder of ClubCorp International, an operator of leading golf courses around the world, died Tuesday at his Dallas home. The cause of death was not announced.

Born in Arkansas, Dedman graduated from the University of Texas and earned his law degree at Southern Methodist University.

After practicing law in Dallas, he founded ClubCorp in 1957. The company now owns more than 210 golf courses, including such leading links as the Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio, and the Indian Wells and Mission Hills country clubs in Southern California.

With a net worth of $1.2 billion, Dedman was on the Forbes magazine list of the 400 wealthiest individuals.

Over the years, he and his family have given more than $77 million to SMU, where two schools bear his name.