By Design - Winter 2014

7 / 26

The architecture editor of Golfweek
magazine and former PGA Tour Caddie
Bradley S. Klein is to become the 40th
winner of the ASGCA Donald Ross Award.
Klein, who has written and lectured
widely on golf design, will be presented
with the award at the 69th ASGCA Annual
Meeting in La Jolla, Calif. in March 2015.
“Brad has traveled the world studying
and reporting on golf course architecture,”
said ASGCA President Lee Schmidt. “His
articles and books have informed golfers
and non-golfers alike, telling the story of
courses and those who design them.”
Klein joins an impressive list of
journalists to have received the Donald
Ross Award, which was first introduced
in 1976, including Herbert Warren Wind,
Charles Price and Ron Whitten.
“His critiques keep architecture in the
public eye, and start conversations about
how design contributes so much to the
essence of the game,” added Schmidt.
“The ASGCA respects his knowledge and
perspective. We appreciate his skill in
describing what we do and all that golf
courses bring to our communities.”
DIGEST
Bradley S. Klein to receive
Donald Ross Award
Robbins writes on environmental
sustainability in China
Donald Ross Award
Environment
China Golf Management magazine has
published an article written by ASGCA
Past President Rick Robbins that is helping
to inform the Chinese golf industry on
environmental sustainability.
Robbins notes that there is a consensus
among Chinese government leaders that golf
courses are not an acceptable use of land,
typically due to environmental concerns.
He highlights areas where alternative
practices may yield environmental
improvements, including: sandcapping
of fairways; installation of environmental
control measures; development area grading
methods and land planning; selection of
turf grasses; preservation of natural areas/
limitation of highly maintained area.
“My feeling is that China is becoming a
very good golf market and one that has
great potential to expand,” concludes
Robbins. “Good environmentally-
conscious design and construction must
become standard practice throughout
the golf industry if the game is to receive
favorable treatment from the government
in Beijing. Golf should be part of the
solution to some of China’s environment
issues rather than contributing to them.”
Visit the ASGCA website
to read Robbins’ article in full, and turn to
pages 20 and 21 for examples of two projects
at Chinese clubs where Robbins and his team
have addressed environmental issues.
Oaks Club project to improve
playability and sustainability
Construction has begun on
the renovation of the Heron
course at the Oaks Club in
Osprey, Florida. Architect
Jason Straka, ASGCA says
one of the key objectives
is to make the course more
playable for a diverse
spectrum of members. Six
sets of tees will see the total
course length range from
4,027 to 6,705 yards,
and green complexes will
be rebunkered to allow the
option for a run-up approach
on more holes.
New Nebraska layout on
track to open in 2015
A new golf course in
Niobrara, Nebraska has been
seeded and is set to open
in 2015. Tatanka GC lies
on the property of the Ohiya
Casino Resort of the Santee
Sioux Nation. In researching
the culture, area and natural
landforms, architect Paul
Albanese, ASGCA learned
about the Sioux’s great respect
for nature. “I knew then we
had to blend the golf course
into the natural surroundings,”
he said.
Renovation of Ross layout
complete at Fort Myers
The course at Fort Myers
CC on Florida’s west coast
has reopened following a
major upgrade project led
by Steve Smyers, ASGCA.
Originally designed by
Donald Ross, the main goal
of the project was to update
the course in the way Ross
would if he were alive and
designing the course today.
“Ross was a master of using
landscape forms to create
space and develop and
define interesting targets and
challenges.” said Smyers.
07
Bradley S. Klein ‘starts conversations about design’
Image: Courtesy of Jim Mandeville