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Smyers also noted how it “opened
my eyes tremendously” to watch
Kerry Haigh from the PGA set up
courses for the Ryder Cup and PGA
Championships, and Mike Davis for
various USGA events.
The game and industry continue
to evolve. Smyers says that has
always been the case, and should be
embraced.
“Going back to 1900, the business
has never been ‘the way it was,’”
he said. “It’s always changing. Our
thought process needs to evolve.
The most successful and recognized
architects of past generations were
very forward-thinking guys.
“The founding members of ASGCA
were leaders in the game because they
adapted to the modern innovation
of the game. At Pinehurst, when steel
shafted clubs were introduced, Donald
Ross redesigned the course to meet the
demands for generations to come.”
Changing “technology” means more
to Smyers than just equipment. He
notes players, instruction and course
maintenance have all changed.
“Course maintenance has been
the biggest game changer,” he said.
“Greens on a Donald Ross course
used to be cut at
¾
”, and that moved
lower and lower over time.”
As ASGCA president, Smyers will
continue to strengthen ASGCA’s
relationship with allied golf
associations to spread the word of
architects as problem solvers ready to
design and implement new plans.
Smyers calls on architects to
understand the game’s history and
traditions, while looking ahead.
“Some of the courses I designed
early in my career are modernizing
for the next generation of players,
with new sand or bunker liners,
improved irrigation and introduction
of new turf grasses.
“Forward-thinking clubs will look to
reduce irrigation and turf maintenance,
which opens the door for the next
generation of architects, where there
are opportunities to reposition bunkers
and re-strategize golf holes.
“As architects, we need to go in and
build a more stimulating golf course
to inspire golfers to play 10 percent
more golf each year. We still want to do
something that gives the player a ‘wow’
moment. Give them that stimulating
feeling when they stand over a shot,
whether they can achieve it or not.”
•
17
Steve Smyers, ASGCA, is currently working on the
redesign of Old Memorial GC in Tampa, Florida
The most
successful and
recognized
architects of past
generations were
very
forward-
thinking
guys