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DESIGN IN 2030
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By Design
Why is this change coming now?
Well, for starters, we are close to a
significant generational shift in the
design industry. Many of the names
that have dominated the business for
40 years are close to the end of their
careers.
Evolving skill sets
Back in 2009, ASGCA assembled
a panel of members to investigate
and map out the skills that the golf
architect of the future would require.
The panel, led by Jason Straka,
ASGCA, and including Ian Andrew,
ASGCA, the late John Harbottle,
ASGCA, ASGCA Past President Dick
Phelps, ASGCA Fellow, and Shane
Witcombe, ASGCA, created a set of
Core Skill Charts, focused separately
on business skills and technical/
design skills.
The charts made it clear that
requirements change over time:
from developments in construction
processes, through designing for
those with disabilities, to government
regulation in general, the successful
golf course architect has always
needed to keep his skills fresh.
“Golfers will always want to play
golf. There will always be changes,
shifts and resets to the game and
golf course architecture. That is
not new and architecture will
continue to evolve,” says ASGCA
Past President Greg Martin, ASGCA.
“Architects will need to be more
responsive to community demands
for open space functionality,
providing additional benefit for
stormwater management, habitat
enhancement, water quality and the
like. Golf course architecture will
be more responsive to the various
ecosystems producing more unusual
and interesting layouts, promoting
matchplay over stroke or medal play.
There will be a greater demand for
firm-fast playing surfaces, requiring
more width. This will have a
dramatic effect on existing facilities
that need to widen holes, offer faster
surfaces with less inputs.”
Drew Rogers, ASGCA, is a classic
example of how the industry has
Golfers will always want to play golf. There
will
always be changes
, shifts and resets
to the game and
golf course architecture
.
That is not new and architecture will
continue
to evolve
ASGCA Past President Greg Martin, ASGCA