By Design - Spring 2020

DIGEST 7 Renovation C onstruction work is in progress at Martin County golf course in Stuart, Florida, as part of a transformation that is being overseen by ASGCA Past President John Sanford. The facility will be reduced from 36 to 27 holes, with a new reversible nine-hole layout created. “We are honored to team up with TDI Golf to transform Martin County’s 36 holes into a unique and modernized golf and entertainment complex,” said Sanford. “This is a cutting-edge approach to gain interest and grow the game on a local level.” The first phase includes creating the new nine-hole layout that will use portions of the existing Red and White nines. Each hole will have five sets of tees and the course will be playable in both directions. The range is being relocated with a new clubhouse, allowing for new practice facilities to be built. There will also be covered hitting bays with ball tracking technology and there are plans for a new short game area and a large putting green. The Blue and Gold nines will be rebuilt and re-grassed in phase two. Greens will be expanded, bunkers rebuilt with new drainage and forward tees added. Image: Sanford Golf Design “Pete Dye was magical when it came to be talking with owners. He always got his way.” BR I AN CUR L EY, ASGCA In the latest podcast from Golf Course Industry’s “Tartan Talks” series, Brian Curley, ASGCA, reflects on the life of Pete Dye, ASGCA Fellow, and the impact he had on those he worked with. “Prior to his career as a golf course architect, he was one of the best insurance salesmen in the business,” said Curley. “One thing that struck me early on was if you’re going to succeed in the business of golf course architecture, you need to be able to sell your ideas and concepts to owners. Pete was magical when it came to be talking with owners. He always got his way.” Dye was known by many as a giant friend of the superintendents. “He would spend a significant amount of time with the superintendents during construction and grow-in, and even when play had already started," said Curley. “He was so fun to be around. He was unique. Of all the people I have met in my life, I can’t think of anybody who was so uniquely suited to do what he did. He would draw the best out of everyone around him.” Listen to the full “Tartan Talk” at golfcourseindustry.com. HERE ARE LINKS TO OTHER RECENT “TARTAN TALKS,” NOW FEATURING OVER 20 EPISODES: • Nathan Crace, ASGCA, provides a golf architect’s perspective on the past decade and looks ahead to the next 10 years. • Jason Straka, ASGCA, and Kenwood Country Club’s Kent Turner offer insight into the architect-superintendent relationship. Reversible nine for Martin County ASGCA Past President John Sanford will introduce a reversible nine-hole layout at Martin County in Florida