By Design - Summer 2018

5 T he ASGCA Board of Governors supports the United States Golf Association (USGA) and the R&A launch of the global Distance Insights project, including the governing bodies’ intent to provide a “closer inspection and monitoring to understand the causes and effects of increased distance.” The topic was discussed with members at the 2018 ASGCA Annual Meeting and ASGCA has been asked by the USGA and R&A to provide additional comment. “ASGCA is pleased to see the USGA and R&A study this important issue in an open-minded, objective way,” said ASGCA Immediate Past President John Sanford, who is heading ASGCA engagement. “It is a complex issue, with long-term implications and various points of view. It is sensible for the game’s governing bodies to promote dialogue, and ASGCA has been asked to provide thoughtful, fact-based commentary. As people who love the game and help define it through our work, we look forward to playing a constructive role in the discussion.” Sanford said ASGCA’s Board of Governors noted the USGA and R&A recognize that increases in distance can potentially contribute to demands for more resource- intensive golf facilities. “Golf courses are small businesses that should be operated in a sustainable way, both for owners and the surrounding communities. We are encouraged to see that sustainability is being considered as part of the distance issue,” he said. ASGCA also appreciates how the USGA and R&A plan to engage with stakeholders throughout the golf industry to develop a comprehensive understanding. “Just as ASGCA members design courses for all players—not only championship- caliber layouts—we are glad to see the USGA and R&A looking at the entire golfing public,” Sanford said. “Golf course architects continue to blend preservation with innovations in their designs. ASGCA members work across a diverse array of course types and conditions in more than 90 countries around the world, and we are excited to bring our voice and expertise to this project.” For more information on the project, visit usga.org/distanceinsights. ASGCA supports Distance Insights project Distance Insights “We’ve really got to think about, embrace and promote daily fee and resort golf if we’re going to grow the game” J EF F LAWRENCE , ASGCA HERE ARE LINKS TO OTHER RECENT “TARTAN TALKS,” NOW FEATURING OVER 20 EPISODES: • Lester George, ASGCA, on his experiences in the military to designing numerous facilities for The First Tee . • Tripp Davis, ASGCA, discusses working on Texas sites and relationships with superintendents . In the latest podcast from Golf Course Industry ’s Tartan Talks series, Gary Player Design senior designer Jeff Lawrence, ASGCA, discusses golf in emerging markets, legends of the game and venomous snakes! “I’ve had the great privilege of travelling to parts of the world that most people haven’t seen,” explains Lawrence. “Projects in India, Honduras, Congo, Gabon, South Africa. Projects in China and the Middle East. Anywhere that golf is possible. Really, emerging markets is our niche. I would say 90% of our work at Gary Player Design is international, outside North America.” When asked what it is like to go into a country that doesn’t have any golf, Lawrence said: “It’s really reinventing the wheel — try to make something special, but don’t make it too complicated, or they can’t maintain it. We try to set them up for success during the design and implementation process.” And those venomous snakes? “On a site visit in South Africa, in tall grass, I was walking with Mr Player. In front of us, a cobra rises up and looks me in the eyes. Everyone wanted to take pictures, but Mr Player grabbed me by the shirt and said ‘Jeff, we’re done!’” Listen to the full Tartan Talk at golfcourseindustry.com .