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N
ew ASGCA President Greg
Martin has emphasized
the importance of a strong
foundation for a viable golf industry.
“The health of anything depends on the
depth of the roots,” said Martin. “The
game of golf needs healthier roots that
translate to a more viable golf industry.”
Martin was elected as ASGCA
President at the organization’s 70th
Annual Meeting, held in Washington,
D.C in April 2016. He promotes an
approach to design that expresses
efficient, classic design concepts that
offer a unique golf experience while
promoting environmental benefits
of golf.
“I am intrigued by what inspires our
membership,” said Martin. “While we
are moving past the recent economic
challenges, there will be aftershocks. It
is a new world and the landscape has
shifted. But the well-developed skills of
ASGCA members are unique. Each in
our own way adds value to the game,
provides adventure for golfers and, most
importantly, benefits our communities.”
The meeting saw a wide range of
discussion among members and
industry leaders, with a common
theme of innovation. In his
introduction to the Donald Ross
Roundtable discussion, outgoing
President Steve Smyers, ASGCA, urged
participants: “Don’t view innovation
with dismay. Understand it and move
forward.” He also documented golf’s
long-standing spirit of innovation,
referencing a history of advances in
areas such as irrigation, trufgrass,
mowing equipment and club
technology (read more on page 10).
Guest speakers at the meeting
included Rand Jerris and Dave
Oatis from the United States Golf
Association, Donna Downing from the
Environmental Protection Agency, golf
writer Jonathan Cummings, and Jeff
Strunk, a lobbyist with Forbes-Tate.
Golf course superintendents Scott
Furlong, Rocco Greco, Matt Shaffer
and Dave Swartzel, and golf course
builder Chris Hill, participated in a
panel discussion on bunker liners,
moderated by Ian Andrew, ASGCA.
Among other highlights of the
meeting: Michael Bamberger was
presented with the Donald Ross
Award in recognition of his work in the
field of journalism, notably for
Sports
Illustrated
; six ASGCA Associates—Bill
Bergin, Todd Clark, Richard Mandell,
Kevin Norby, Joe Obringer and Shawn
Smith—were advanced to regular
membership; and two
new associate
members—David
Johnson and Todd
Schoeder—were
welcomed to the
organization, bringing
the number of members
practicing around the
world to almost 180.
DIGEST
ASGCA President Martin highlights
importance of healthy roots for golf industry
Annual Meeting
05
Expertise for
public facilities
The ASGCA Annual Meeting saw
the announcement of six publicly-
accessible golf facilities that have been
selected to receive pro-bono consulting
visits from USGA agronomists and
ASGCA-member architects. As part
of the site evaluation program (See
By Design
Issue 25, page 14),
agronomists and architects will make
suggestions on how best to meet
specific needs, enhance playing
quality, improve customer appeal and
strengthen relationships with the local
community. The selected facilities are:
• Carolina Springs Golf Club,
Fountain Inn, South Carolina
• Connecticut National Golf Club,
Putnam, Connecticut
• Carey Park Golf Course,
Hutchinson, Kansas
• EdgeBrook Golf Course,
Brookings, South Dakota
• Point University Golf Club,
Lanett, Alabama
• Simsbury Farms Golf Course,
West Simsbury, Connecticut.
Attendees at the meeting
received a specially designed
‘bobble-head’ of Robert
Trent Jones, Sr., ASGCA
Past President and one of the
founding members