By Design – Issue 51, Winter 2020

9 DIGEST Photo: Briceño 18 Pizá works remotely to complete Colombian renovation Agustín Pizá, ASGCA, worked remotely to oversee the final phases of a renovation project at Briceño 18 Golf Course in Bogotá, Colombia. A six-month closure of the local El Dorado International Airport saw the golf course architect employing video technology from his office in Mexico. “This is the first time I did not supervise the way I like to,” said Pizá. “But I have to admit that the work done via online visits by my good and reliable construction superintendent Ruben Arenas was superb.” The project involved addressing drainage issues on the course and making additional changes to improve aesthetics, strategy and playability. Bunkers were relocated “to create a wider, safer and friendlier” landing areas for average golfers, while narrowing the target for lower handicap golfers. In the latest podcast from Golf Course Industry ’s “Tartan Talks” series, ASGCA Past President Tom Marzolf discusses how he got into the golf course design industry and the experience of working at Augusta National. When Marzolf graduated from university, he wrote to the ASGCA for advice. “I got a booklet that had names and addresses of every ASGCA architect,” he said. “I took my drawings and university thesis with me and went to 32 job interviews in six weeks. It was a great experience of seeing how these golf design firms worked and I was lucky that Tom Fazio offered me a job.” Fazio Design has consulted at Augusta National for more than 30 years. Marzolf recalls one of his first experiences of the property. “The nine-hole par-three course, designed by George Cobb, is the first one that pops into my head when I think about amazing sites. “We had a chance to help the club extend the area of the par-three course. We built two new holes for them. What a thrill it was to stand beside Tom Fazio as we were about to help Augusta National Golf Club. I’ll never forget it.” Listen to the full “Tartan Talk” at golfcourseindustry.com. “What a thrill it was to stand beside Tom Fazio as we were about to help Augusta National” ASGCA Past President Tom Marzol f • Clyde Johnston, ASGCA, talks about designing courses on Hilton Head and the differences in golf along the South Carolina coast. • Agustín Pizá, ASGCA, explains how he developed from a structural architect to a golf course architect and how golf is evolving in Mexico. Here are links to other recent “Tartan Talks,” now featuring over 50 episodes: