By Design – Issue 49, Summer 2020

4 | By Design DIGEST A round-up of recent golf design news in association with: A SGCA Insights “ —a podcast from the American Society of Golf Course Architects—premiered on 27 April, featuring discussions with people who are making a positive difference in the golf industry. The podcast aims to provide perspective and information detailing what people are experiencing today and gives thought to what the future may hold for the game and industry. “This is a fun and informative podcast for anyone working in the golf industry, or those who simply enjoy playing the game,” said ASGCA President Jan Bel Jan. “There are so many bright people who have great ideas to share: architects, superintendents, builders, course owners, journalists and more. The experiences they have had and the good work they are doing to strengthen golf should be shared. ‘ASGCA Insights’ wants to talk with all of them!” Since the first episode with ASGCA Past President Erik Larsen, who discussed the significant contributions golf courses make to communities, the podcast has featured interviews with a number of leaders, including: • Award-winning journalist Brad Klein • Golf course architect Forrest Richardson, ASGCA • Bob Randquist, chief operating officer of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America • Golf course architect and ASGCA Past President Tom Marzolf • Henry DeLozier of GGA Partners • National Club Association President Henry Wallmeyer PGA of America president Suzy Whaley has also spoken on the podcast about how her organization is communicating with its 29,000 members during the coronavirus pandemic and how she sees the golf industry interacting with players as more facilities reopen and playing opportunities return. “Recently, we helped to launch ‘Back2Golf’, which is a three-phase plan—they’re recommendations coming out to the industry as golf courses are reopening,” said Whaley. She calls the plan “an allied collaboration” between the USGA, PGA Tour, LPGA, GCSAA, NGCOA, CMAA and the World Golf Federation. “The guidelines emphasize social distancing and other preventative measures in alignment with the plan established by the White House and CDC. Golf is a terrific recreational outlet that offers a number of physical and mental health benefits.” Listen to the ASGCA podcasts at asgca.org/resources/podcasts or via Apple, Spotify, iHeartRadio and Stitcher. ASGCA debuts ‘Insights’ podcast Photo: istock.com/avdyachenko “