By Design - Summer 2019

Dye, ASGCA, was the first. Like Dye, Bel Jan is recognized for her role as champion to all golfers in playing from the correct tees. “I had known for a long time that even the most-forward tees were not far enough forward,” Bel Jan said. “I thought about what I learned from my Dad and uncles, who had given lessons to so many women, and I suspected the reason so many women left golf after trying it for a while was that they had little chance of seeing par on a regular basis—if at all. Success is not only hitting shots, it is scoring, too. “I read Bill Amick, ASGCA, and his work charting a variety of players and how far they hit the ball; it made sense that people should be accommodated.” Bel Jan became an expert on the subject and was quoted in a USGA article on clubhead speed in 2000. She also notes the work of ASGCA Past Presidents Bob Cupp, Jeff Brauer and Damian Pascuzzo in promoting additional tee options as helping lead the way for the many architects doing so today. “Adding even more-forward tees was not only about women, but about children and older men, too. There has to be a way for everyone to play from markers and not only feel that they belong, but that they are respected as golfers. I went through 20 different terms before I decided on ‘Scoring Tees™’. Everyone wants to score better, especially the best players.” When renovating the Hurricane Course at Pelican’s Nest, Bel Jan was able to fully implement her Scoring Tees™ concept. This design feature proved to be immediately and enormously popular with members, the highest-handicap women golfers as well as single-digit handicap men golfers. Club governors quickly noted the use by the full membership as well as increased participation and number of rounds. They approved incorporating Scoring Tees™ on the Gator Course when she renovated it the following year and Pelican’s Nest continues to be one of the most successful clubs in South Florida. Looking ahead Bel Jan counts a number of golf course architects as inspirations, including Fazio, Ed Seay, Cabell Robinson, and the Dyes. “Pete and Alice were a team,” she said. “And Alice was such a great golfer who played a lot of golf with women who were novices and beginners; she encouraged them to stay with the game. “The proudest moment of my life to that point was being elected an ASGCA member in 1990. I like to think my work ethic is something that anyone could point to and say, ‘That’s one way to do it.’ And become a golf course architect.” How will she determine a successful presidency? “I want to carry on the mission of recent Past Presidents Greg Martin, John Sanford and Jeff Blume—thought leadership, greater recognition for our members, thoughtfulness for our clients so we may continue providing the best product, showing better economic ways to do things, and greater recognition for our members. “We want to help ASGCA members be successful with their clients, and clients to be successful with their golfers.” • Adding even more- forward tees was not only about women , but about children and older men , too Bel Jan with late ASGCA Fellows Vicki Martz and Alice Dye and (right) on site in Florida INTERVIEW 21 Photo: Joann Dost