By Design – Issue 49, Summer 2020

15 ASGCA became a respected organization, that continually raised its professional standards and image, grew in numbers and stature, and had far greater impact on the world of golf than any such small organization could hope to have… and all because of Paul. “Of course, Sandra was equally capable, and everyone loved and respected them as people, as well as their ability to get things done, for they knew that the Fullmers cared as much or more about ASGCA as the members. Sandra did more to preserve the history and activities of ASGCA than any other one person, and she did it selflessly.” “Paul left a legacy blueprint of leadership that Chad has assumed and works to perfection,” says Hurdzan. “As a member since 1974, I honestly believe that it is impossible to overstate the importance of Paul to the ASGCA—and now Chad— to making this organization as recognizable and respected as it is today. We are blessed.” • Paul takes centre stage at the 2004 ASGCA Annual Meeting in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, his last as Executive Secretary When Paul Fullmer became ASGCA Executive Secretary in 1970, most golfers and golf course developers were only aware of a small number of golf course architects. Paul, though, ensured that people saw the profession through a broader lens by showing how the profession was practiced by a diverse group of practitioners with impressive qualifications. As ASGCA Past President Mike Hurdzan puts it, Paul “brought a new level of awareness to a wider range of individuals.” But how exactly did Paul contribute to this new level of awareness? First, he helped the members of ASGCA be better at their craft, which he did by making ASGCA meetings educational so ASGCA members went to clients better armed with perspective, techniques and the ‘latest.’ Second, he cultivated a sense of collaboration and mutual respect among golf course architects that helped clients see the profession in a more impressive way. The other thing that Paul did was place countless stories about the profession in publications read by everyone from golfers and landowners to government regulators and municipal officials. These always offered an informative brochure of some sort that could be requested from ASGCA headquarters. The distribution of thousands of articles and brochures over 34 years had a major effect. People who hired golf course architects or simply played golf ‘suddenly’ viewed the golf course architect as essential–the ‘point people,’ as Paul used to say. “Paul brought a new level of awareness to a wider range of individuals” CHAD R I T TERBUSCH EXECUT I VE D I RECTOR , ASGCA