Table of Contents Table of Contents
Previous Page  20 / 24 Next Page
Information
Show Menu
Previous Page 20 / 24 Next Page
Page Background

20

|

By Design

S

ince its establishment in 1973,

the ASGCA Foundation has

worked to support the game

of golf. We spoke to its current

president, ASGCA Past President

Clyde Johnston, ASGCA, about the

Foundation’s efforts to make golf

more accessible, enjoyable and

sustainable.

Could you explain the purpose of

the ASGCA Foundation?

As a non-profit organization,

the ASGCA Foundation helps

fund important research on golf

course design as it relates to the

game of golf, the enjoyment of

golf, new technologies and golf’s

relationship to the environment. The

information and insight collected

by the Foundation is shared with

those committed to designating

green space for recreational

purposes, helping them develop a

better understanding of how golf

course architecture can increase

player enjoyment and benefit the

environment.

The Foundation also supports

the game of golf, funding and

administering programs to help the

game flourish and grow. We run

initiatives aimed at getting more

people involved in the sport and

provide college scholarships to

deserving high school students.

How did the Foundation’s support

for the Longleaf Tee Initiative

come about?

The Longleaf Tee Initiative was

the brainchild of the U.S. Kids

Golf Foundation, and was created

to help grow the game through

the use of additional tees. The

first implementation took place at

Longleaf Golf & Family Club in

North Carolina based on design work

from Bill Bergin, ASGCA.

When I first heard this notion, I

admit to having a few doubts as to

how possible this would be. But any

skepticism was quickly quashed once

I spoke with U.S. Kids Golf President

Dan Van Horn. They really helped

open my eyes to what the system can

offer to golfers of all ages and abilities.

Once I realized how beneficial

the system could be to the game, it

made perfect sense for the ASGCA

Foundation to provide support. We

need to embrace opportunities like

this to make a positive difference to

the health of the game.

How does the Longleaf project

meet the mission and vision of the

Foundation?

The Longleaf Tee System is for golfers

of any age, gender and golfing ability,

and therefore offers an opportunity to

make the game more fun, encourage

new golfers to take up the game and

retain golfers in the sport. The system

will also be good for new and existing

golf courses as it expands their ability

to appeal to a wider range of golf skills.

The ASGCA Foundation is

committed to showing courses how

they and their golfers may benefit

by adopting the concepts developed

through the Longleaf Tee System.

A positive impact

on the game of golf

INTERVIEW

ASGCA Foundation President Clyde Johnston explains how the non-profit

organization is supporting facilities and enabling a better golfer experience.

We are

constantly looking

for ways we can

positively impact

the game of golf

and the profession

of

golf course

architecture