By Design - Spring 2020

30 | By Design FIVE TO FINISH Designing a reachable par four from the tee for the brave-hearted is a welcome blessing A. John Harvey, ASGCA A fter starting his career as a junior design associate with Robert Trent Jones, Sr., A. John Harvey moved to Roger Rulewich Group in 1995, before setting up his own design firm in 2011. Harvey has authored several environmental case studies for golf course projects and has served as a guest lecturer at Rutgers University for a number of turfgrass courses. How is your game? Every spring I keep telling myself that I’m going to be playing more golf. Last year was no exception, but it was a little different though. I guess I had more excuses this time! My wife and I sold our house in New Jersey in April 2019, we rented from buyers for a few months until our twins AJ and Theresa graduated high school. In May, we started construction on a new house on 60 acres of land in Michigan and moved my family and design practice out there. With all that said, it hasn't allowed me to play much golf! Which three people would make up your dream fourball? Certainly my father, who introduced my brother, sister and I to the game. Freddy Couples, who I admire on and off the course, not to mention watching his graceful, elegant and loose swing! To top it off, I’d go with Clint Eastwood, who’s without question one of my favorite actors and he’s not afraid to state his positions and opinions on things that matter to me. What is your favorite hole in golf? I’m a firm believer of having a short par three, four and five with versatile play options and angles off the tee or approach. Designing a reachable par four from the tee for the brave- hearted is a welcome blessing. My favorite personal example is found on a course that Roger Rulewich, ASGCA Fellow, and I worked on together—the second hole at Ballyowen Golf Club in Hardyston, New Jersey. It’s a short risk-reward, sharp dogleg left, par four that can be reached from the tee depending on tee location, prevailing wind, momentary courage and player ability. The left side of the hole is guarded by a deep ravine. We fortified the right side of the hole from landing area to the green with sculptured lacy edged bunkers. This is a hole that I’ve had my mind and hands on, so it’s extremely important to me. If you could change or add one rule, what would it be? Creating a system for serving a warning then a penalty stroke for not fixing a ball-mark, pitch mark or divot. Player courtesy and etiquette seem to be a lost art these days! Otherwise, giving a breakfast ball or mulligan off the tee once in a full round of golf would be interesting. What project are you currently working on? I’m working on a full-scale bunker renovation project at Rockland Country Club in Sparkill, New York with superintendent Matt Ceplo. The course improvements also include the redesign of the first green and began on the heels of completing a new short game area and range tee renovation project. • Photo: A. John Harvey, ASGCA A. John Harvey is in progress with a bunker renovation at Rockland Country Club