I
think that perhaps the most important and insightful comment
in this new issue of
By Design
comes from Charlie Tickle of Daniel
Corporation, a successful golf developer in his own right and now,
on behalf of new owner Met Life, the operator of Reynolds Plantation in
Georgia, where ASGCA held our 2013 Annual Meeting.
“The golf and real estate business model is not busted,” Charlie told our
meeting. “Met Life doesn’t think the golf course world is busted. Golf is
an expensive amenity, but it pays a dividend. Restore confidence and the
future is bright.”
Some commentators have suggested that the events of the last five years
show that the marriage of golf and real estate developments was a mistake.
But developers like Charlie are telling us differently; that golf and housing
are natural partners, and the problems that have been experienced
emerged largely from the housing side of the party.
Does that mean that, as housing markets strengthen, we can go back to
doing exactly what we did before? No. As golf architects, we must help
developers find ways to reduce the cost, both upfront and ongoing, of
the golf amenity, and we must figure out ways of integrating golf and
housing that doesn’t make the golf component unsustainable once it is no
longer supported by home sales revenue. I am proud of my fellow ASGCA
members who are working with their clients to create sustainable, viable
facilities. More can be done, and while the model is not broken, ASGCA
members are finding ways of doing it better.
Yours sincerely,
Rick Robbins
President
American Society of Golf Course Architects
FOREWORD
Editor:
Adam Lawrence;
Design:
Paul Robinson; Bruce Graham; Libby Sidebotham
Publisher:
Toby Ingleton;
Editorial contributors:
Stuart Hackwell, Rain Bird
ASGCA Staff:
Chad Ritterbusch; Therese Johnston; Mike Shefky; Aileen Smith; Marc Whitney
Photography:
USGA/John Mummert
Subscribe to By Design at
© 2013 American Society of Golf Course Architects. All rights reserved.
By Design is sponsored by:
03
CONTENTS
COVER
Also: Practice facilities•ASGCAAnnualMeeting2013• Soil sensor technology•Golf and real estate
Excellence inGolfDesign from theAmerican Society ofGolfCourseArchitects
Issue 15 | Summer 2013
BY DESIGN
legend
Return
to a
PreparingMerion’shistoricEast course for theUSOpen
Merion’s East course has been
renovated in advance of the
2013 US Open
BY DESIGN
