By Design - Winter 2015

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In 2016, there will be three deadlines
to submit applications: March 15; Aug.
15; and Dec. 15.
Site visit and report
For facilities that have been chosen,
an ASGCA-member architect and
USGA agronomist will make a site
visit within three months of selection
in order to study the course design,
agronomics and operations. The
date of the site visit will be mutually
agreed upon by the facility, USGA and
ASGCA. The ASGCA and USGA will
employ up-to-date research and data,
advanced tools and a comprehensive
knowledge base in order to provide an
analysis and recommendations for the
facility managers.
This report will reflect the goals and
desired outcome stated by the facility.
The report may comprise analysis
and recommendations in the areas
of: course design; agronomics and
maintenance practices; and operations.
The analysis will identify several key
areas for improvement and outline
metrics that will help the facility achieve
their goals and track the outcomes
of the improvements. This summary
report will be sent to the facility within
four-to-six weeks of the site visit.
Implementation and follow-up
The program provides assistance
for a site evaluation and a summary
report, but there will be no funding
for implementation. Acting on the
recommendations outlined in the report
is the sole responsibility of the facility.
Therefore, the summary report will
be commensurate with the resources
available to the facility as well as the
scope of the desired outcomes.
It is the expectation of the USGA and
the ASGCA that the facility will act on
some or all of the recommendations
provided by the ASGCA member
architect and USGA agronomist.
Depending on the nature of the
improvement being performed, the
facility will be expected to track
and report the outcomes of the
improvements that have been made.
Aileen Smith is Director of Programs at
the ASGCA and is coordinating the site
evaluation program. To apply for an
evaluation of your golf facility, please
visit
Preparing for your application
During the application process,
facilities will be asked to provide
some background information about
the project. This will include details of:
• The facility , such as the number of
holes, practice facilities, clubhouse,
date of opening, architect, general
history of improvements.
• Visuals, including aerial photos of
the course and topographical maps
of the course, where available
• Existing conditions, such as
budgets, number of rounds and
local market conditions
• Challenges faced with regard
to course design, agronomics,
operations and player experience
• Proposed project s that the facility
would like to undertake, including
costs, constraints and potential
outcomes or benefits of the project.
Facilities won’t need to supply all this
to complete the process, but more
information enables the USGA-ASGCA
to better evaluate the application.
Todd Quitno, ASGCA, has provided work for
Canal Shores, a community-owned and operated facility
in Evanston, Illinois. It is the first course to receive pro
bono assistance through the ASGCA-USGA program
and now has a new vision to maximize participation