By Design - Summer 2018

24 | By Design W ith projects at over 300 golf clubs to his name, Stephen Kay, ASGCA, is one of the most prolific golf course architects in the business. The New York native, who now lives on a course he designed—Blue Heron Pines GC—in New Jersey, has been in practice since 1983 and for over 30 years has also been helping to educate the next generation of turf management experts, as an instructor at Rutgers Professional Golf Turf Management School in New Jersey. Golf course designs completed by Kay include the acclaimed Links of North Dakota, set along the bluffs overlooking Lake Sakakawea, and The Architects Golf Club in Lopatcong, New Jersey, where—in collaboration with Golf Digest architecture editor Ron Whitten— Kay laid out 18 holes inspired by the great golf architects of history, from Old Tom Morris to ASGCA founding member Robert Trent Jones, Sr. But Kay is perhaps best known for his renovation and restoration work, like his recent projects at Forsgate Country Club in Monroe Township, New Jersey and the Donald Ross- designed Union League Golf Club at Torresdale in Philadelphia. How is your game? I used to be able to play a bit, but now I’m just OK—my handicap is 9.9. Like so many of my colleagues in the golf industry, I find less time to play than I would like. Which three people would make up your dream fourball? I would love a round with three of golf’s all-time greatest players. From history, I would choose Bobby Jones and Ben Hogan, and hopefully pick up some decent swing tips. From the present day, it would be Tiger Woods. It’s clear that, even after a ten-year spell without a major championship, he remains golf’s greatest draw. What is your favorite hole in golf? Rather than pick out a single hole, I would choose a hole type—the Redan. From the original Redan at North Berwick in Scotland, to the famous copies at places like National Golf Links of America and Shinnecock Hills, I’m a huge admirer of the ‘fortified’ concept, which requires golfers to consider alternatives to aiming directly at the pin. I like my own versions of the hole too! Like Macdonald, Raynor and Banks, I try to include a Redan on all my new course designs. If you could change or add one rule, what would it be? I might have had a few suggestions if you had asked me a couple of years ago. But I’m impressed with the new rules from the USGA and R&A that will come into play from the start of next year. I agreed with overall goals of the Rules Modernization Initiative —to make rules easier to understand, consistent, simple and fair—and the resulting revisions should also help to speed up the pace of play. What project are you currently working on? I’m helping Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, with a series of changes. It’s the largest club in New Jersey, with three great courses. The original 27 holes (now forming part of the Meadow and River courses) were designed by Hal Purdy and opened in 1965. ASGCA Past President Geoffrey Cornish and Brian Silva added nine holes in the 1980s, and ASGCA Past President Rees Jones, ASGCA, added a third course in the early 1990s. I developed a renovation master plan in 2013 and most of my current work has been on the Meadow course. We’ve also introduced great practice facilities (pictured left). It’s been a pleasure to help the owners invest in the future of their club. • FIVE TO FINISH Stephen Kay, ASGCA Like Macdonald, Raynor and Banks , I try to include a Redan on all my new course designs