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W
hen the 2017 U.S. Open
arrives in Erin, Wisconsin,
Jason Straka, ASGCA, will
surely reflect fondly on one of the
highlights of his 17 years with ASGCA
Past President Dr. Mike Hurdzan.
Straka worked on the project that saw
Hurdzan and co-designers Dana Fry,
ASGCA and
Golf Digest
’s Ron Whitten
transform 652 acres of rolling terrain
formed by glaciers to the acclaimed
Erin Hills golf course that will host a
major just 11 years after opening.
Straka is now creating highlights of
his own. Having established a new
design business with Fry in 2012, he
has been busy taking on new work for
such clients as Pulte Homes and Arcis
Golf, as well as completing existing
projects under the old Hurdzan/
Fry banner, such as Ambiente
and Columbia Country Club. The
Ambiente course at Camelback Golf
Club in Scottsdale, Arizona, was one
of
Golf Digest
’s best new courses of
2013, and
Golf Inc
. selected Columbia
Country Club in Missouri as one of
2014’s Renovations of the Year.
With multiple degrees from Cornell
University as well as professional
training in golf course construction,
greenkeeping and architecture, the
northeastern Ohio native now also
devotes time to educating others. In
addition to his 10 years as lecturer and
adjunct professor at The Ohio State
University, he has taught throughout
the United States and as far afield as
Brazil, Poland and South Korea—
eager to spread his message of an
environmental approach to golf design.
How is your game?
I travel so much that I rarely have an
opportunity to play. However, my
long game has been really solid this
year. It is my short game that suffers
from a lack of practice. I still do love
to play when I get the chance though.
Which three people would make up
your dream fourball?
My father Ron, son Zachary and
maybe someday I’ll be blessed to have
a grandson. To have four generations
able to play together at the same time
would be my dream fourball. So far,
we’ve got three of the four covered!
What is your favorite hole in golf?
Rather than one specific hole, I’ll name
one specific type. I happen to really
enjoy designing and playing short,
drivable par fours. If designed well,
I love the gambling component and
excitement they provide. It is truly a
chess match against one’s inner self.
Not only does a golfer have to carefully
analyze his or her options but these
holes provide a challenge to control
one’s emotions when having to decide
whether to play aggressive and go for it
or be more conservative. Of course just
last week, I played a match against my
best friend and took a double on one
such hole and lost the match by a shot!
I guess I need to work on the mental
aspect as well as my short game.
If you could change or add one rule,
what would it be?
I certainly wouldn’t add any. I think
there are way too many as it is. Even
many in the golf industry don’t know
all the rules, and we’re around the
game every day. It is unrealistic to
expect the average golfer to know and
interpret so many rules. Many casual
players tend to ignore them anyway.
What project are you currently
working on?
We have a lot of remodel projects
ongoing. One of my favorites though
is a turf reduction and landscaping
project, including bunker overhaul, in
the Los Angeles, California area. The
course has majestic Live Oak trees
scattered throughout. The premise
of the remodel is to obtain much of
the look, play and environmental
characteristics as was restored at
Pinehurst #2. In fact, I just spent the
day with Bob Farren and John Jeffreys
on #2 and can’t thank them enough
for their hospitality and insight. It is
gentlemen like them that make this
business so enjoyable.
My partner Dana Fry and I are also
working on projects in Maryland,
Florida, New Jersey, Texas and
Vietnam, among other places. We are
fortunate to have a steady stream of
work while not being too busy.
•
FIVE TO FINISH
18
|
By Design
Jason Straka, ASGCA
For this issue’s Five to Finish, we
speak to the current chairman of the
ASGCA Education Committee
I love the gambling component and
excitement that short par fours provide. It is
truly a chess match against one’s inner self