By Design - Fall 2018

20 | By Design T he ASGCA welcomed six new Associate Members to its ranks following its 2018 Annual Meeting in Houston. The new members represent a range of firms, from their own practices to major brands such as IMG, Greg Norman Golf Course Design and Robert Trent Jones II Golf Course Architects. We asked what membership of the ASGCA means to them. “It is an honor and thrill to become an Associate Member of the ASGCA,” says Jeff Danner, ASGCA Associate, a senior design associate at Greg Norman Golf Course Design. “It has been a career goal of mine for as long as I can remember. I look forward to making positive contributions to the game through the ASGCA’s many initiatives while continuing to further my growth in the profession of golf course architecture.” Steve Shepherdson, ASGCA Associate, a senior golf course design associate at IMG Golf Course Services, says: “I had originally planned on starting the membership process a few years earlier, but the requirements at that time were a little more North American oriented, as well as having a few projects that I was doing in Asia that never finished, leaving me short of the required numbers. “Hearing that I had been accepted as an Associate Member was very satisfying as the original process started many, many years ago, so to have finally completed and been accepted was a proud moment. I know a fair number of the current members and it is an honor and pleasure to now be part of the same small, exclusive group within the golf industry. I’m looking forward to doing many more great courses with IMG in the coming years and picking the other architects’ brains when a strange issue comes up that needs an out-of-the-box solution to a problem.” Of his newly-acquired status as a ASGCA Associate, Mexican golf course architect Pedro Güereca Gurrola, says: “For many years, I felt as competent as U.S. architects coming to Mexico to do golf projects, and all the time I tried to demonstrate to possible clients that I was good enough to produce a good golf course. “Having visited the group, I think it’s a great group of professionals who are always looking for professional development, but also have some fun in the process. I felt the friendship of the group. “Now I have a good feeling of not to be so lonely in my career, I feel I have a group of people and possible friends, to share hits and misses with and who understand all aspects of our profession. I am glad.” Chris Lutzke, ASGCA Associate, a long-time designer for ASGCA Past Presidents Pete and Alice Dye, both ASGCA Fellows, said: “It was a long- term goal and it was important to Pete over the years that I apply. But it was Alice who kept on me and had me get the applications in, do interviews and go in front of the board. Pete and Alice were the driving force and it has been a great long journey. “My allegiance over the past 30 years has always been to Pete and if I could do it over I would not change New additions ASSOCIATE MEMBERS Richard Humphreys caught up with the new ASGCA Associate Members to find out more about their work and what ASGCA membership means to them.