I
n the art world there are
prodigies and there are masters.
Some forms of artistic expression
easily find an outlet because the
tools are accessible (paint, paper,
etc.), affordable and practical,
allowing for constant practice and
improvement for the artist. Golf
design is an art form expressed
on a far more complex canvas
that is different every time, comes
with rules, and is an expensive
endeavour. As a result, there are no
golf design prodigies, those blessed
with the opportunity to express their
clear artistic vision and natural talent
from an early age. All the great golf
architects are masters, whose skills
have been developed through years
of learning, practice and experience.
Like all artists, these masters
begin their journey with the
immediate desire to express their
vision, but in golf design they must
accumulate the necessary skill set
to be successful. This initial golf
course work sets the table for what
is to come in the future. They obtain
clarity and artistic flair through
exploration, experimentation and
experience. They work, learn,
experiment, seek new ideas, create,
assess, refine, and recreate. Most
golf architects accomplish this while
apprenticing under other architects,
often for a decade or more, until
they find the opportunity to build a
project based on their own ideas and
their own artistic expression.
Golf architecture is a complex
art form. Architects have to meet
more than just aesthetic standards.
Having a design vision isn’t enough
if the skills to express that vision
on the ground don’t exist. It
takes a great deal of time, effort
and experience to learn even the
basic essentials such as drainage,
soil composition and agronomy.
More complicated issues such
as sustainability or managing
approvals require a different kind of
skill set outside of the artistic realm.
Add to that the qualities required
to successfully run a business, or
supervise a construction site. Before
a golf architect can express himself
artistically, there are numerous skills
that must be acquired and perfected.
That is why the ASGCA formed
an Education Committee. There
are some masters among us who
have enjoyed long and storied
careers. These masters have honed
their skills over numerous projects,
providing them the knowledge and
experience they needed for future
projects. But times have changed
and opportunities to learn ‘in the
field’ are fewer than they once were.
As a result, ASGCA is drawing on
the knowledge and experience of
our masters, and of other skilled
professionals in the golf business.
Many ASGCA members are in a
position where continuing education
is essential to prepare them for their
next opportunity.
In recent decades, the canvas
upon which golf architects express
themselves has become a far
more complex place to work.
Golf architects have to address
new complexities and additional
responsibilities (such as brown
field sites and treated effluent)
that impact the ability to work and
create. Expectations of clients—and
even of society—have risen. The
role once defined for us by Trent
Jones no longer adequately reflects
our reality.
At the upcoming ASGCA
Annual Meeting in Tulsa, Okla.,
the Education Committee will
lead members through a series
of discussions and learning
opportunities. Some are designed
to provided enhanced education
in established areas of golf course
design; others to broaden the scope
of our knowledge base. Finally
we’ve mixed in a few philosophical
questions to engage the membership
in discussion and debate.
In today’s economy, an architect
needs a little luck to find that next
new design project. But as the
Roman philosopher Seneca famously
said: “Luck is what happens when
preparation meets opportunity.”
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Education
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Ian Andrew, ASGCA
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Ian Andrew
Ian Andrew, ASGCA, is a golf
architect based in Ontario, Canada.
Ian can be contacted by emailing
20
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By Design
The journey to becoming a master of golf design
takes years of learning, practice and experience,
as Ian Andrew explains
The complexity
of our canvas
