By Design – Issue 49, Summer 2020

DIGEST 9 T he United States Golf Association (USGA) has joined more than 100 organizations— including the International Golf Federation—in becoming a signatory of the United Nations Sports for Climate Action Initiative. Signatories of the initiative commit to five principles: undertaking systematic efforts to promote greater environmental responsibility; reducing overall climate impact; educating for climate action; promoting sustainable and responsible consumption; and advocating for climate action through communication. “Golf is an outdoor game that connects millions of players to their environment and their community,” said Mike Davis, CEO of the USGA. “Its uniqueness in sports, with an arena in which the architectural design and landscape plays an active role in its universal appeal and enjoyment, provides us with countless opportunities to engage and positively impact the future of these green spaces. We look forward to learning from our colleagues and sharing golf perspectives in this very important and unifying effort.” USGA joins climate initiative Industry news Highlands Meadows renovation nears completion H ills Forrest Smith is continuing with a renovation of the course at Highland Meadows Golf Club in Sylvania, Ohio. The design firm developed a master plan in the 2000s that focuses on making the bunkers more impactful by improving their strategy and aesthetics. “The final phase of the bunker project includes 52 new or rebuilt bunkers,” said Shawn Smith, ASGCA. The project has been continuing amid the global pandemic with both the maintenance and the construction crews operating with reduced staff and practicing social distancing. Photo: Hills Forrest Smith Renovation Pizá integrates short course into range at El Cortés Agustín Pizá, ASGCA, has designed a new multi-purpose practice facility for El Cortés Golf Club at the Puerta Cortés Resort near La Paz, Mexico. “We proposed to our client to design a space that could work as a golf academy, pitch-and-putt and a driving range, whilst creating a desert-style area with less turf to irrigate and maintain,” said Pizá. The new multi-purpose facility includes a 10-hole pitch-and-putt course (with holes varying between 30 and 130 yards). Rockland reopens following bunker work Rockland Country Club in Sparkill, New York, has reopened its course following a renovation overseen by A. John Harvey, ASGCA. Harvey’s master plan called for the renovation or creation of 76 bunkers, a new green at the first and regrading on the eighteenth. “It has been enjoyable recapturing the spirit of the course with a delicate and sincere purpose, setting the stage as a nice refreshing test of golf for the membership for years to come,” said Harvey. Photo: Matt Ceplo Photo: El Cortés Golf Club Photo: USGA