By Design – Issue 49, Summer 2020

21 provides the opportunity to fully experience the ‘nature aspect’ of the course and more frequent conversation with their playing companions.” “I hope one good thing to come from this virus is golfers walking more,” says Tripp Davis, ASGCA, who has seen an increase in walking at Oklahoma City G&CC, where he has recently completed renovation work (read more on page 11). “The course reopened right when restrictions were going into place for the coronavirus, so players had to walk, and tee times were spaced out more. Word spread fast though, and even without carts available and no caddies, the tee sheet has filled up every day within a few minutes of being available.” Joel Purpur, golf course superintendent at Park Ridge Country Club, says: “With the restriction of golf cart availability only for medical reasons, I hope that more people continue to walk during their round of golf after restrictions are lifted. It is great for your health and the way golf was meant to be played.” From an architect’s perspective, Martin says that he considers the walking element of the golf course when designing or renovating as it helps the flow of traffic on the course. “I am always looking at making the green-to-tee experience better,” he says. “It is the most underrated aspect of design and anything that helps simplify the transition will help golfers, the pace of play and the overall experience.” Rediscovering golf While improved safety measures will be a central part of the ‘new normal’ for golf, DeLozier says “alert operators are re-focusing golfers’ attention on the powerful existential attributes of the game of golf—personal accountability, independence, and dealing with adversity for example. Re-starting golf enables operators to remind golfers of the values within the game itself.” Kris Hart, founder of NextGen Golf—a subsidiary of PGA of America—adds: “Other sports cannot be played, and local golf leagues—like PGA Junior Leagues— are an attractive option for junior golfers and newcomers.” “Without exception, every one of our golf properties that has reopened has been busy,” says Flanders. “There’s a lot of people who usually play contact sports who now don’t have that outlet and are choosing to either take up the game of golf or come back to the game. “As an industry, if we manage this well, and are all responsible and take care of each other, I think the game of golf can actually benefit through this epidemic period and have a lot of new golfers once we get on the other side. That’s because people see it as a safe option to get outside and have some exercise.” “Golf will grow in participation,” says DeLozier. For guidance on how to reshape your facility to thrive post-COVID, you can find a local ASGCA member at asgca.org/architects. I think the game of golf can actually benefit through this epidemic period and have a lot of new golfers once we get on the other side Photo: Jeff Lawrence GOLF POST-COVID Photo: Tripp Davis, ASGCA Oklahoma City G&CC has been recently renovated by Tripp Davis, ASGCA, who hopes to see golfers working more. Top, the new Greenville 3’s facility in South Carolina will offer golfers a new type of experience