By Design – Issue 52, Spring 2021

9 DIGEST • ASGCA Past President Jeff Brauer and Nathan Crace, ASGCA, talk about the ASGCA Foundation’s ‘Designs on a Better Golf Course’ book • Robert McNeil, ASGCA, discusses why he is promoting and creating fast, friendly and inclusive golf experiences Here are links to other recent “Tartan Talks,” now featuring over 50 episodes: The latest podcast from Golf Course Industry’s “Tartan Talks” series sees ASGCA Past President Bruce Charlton discuss his experiences from 40 years working across the world for the Robert Trent Jones II firm. Charlton says the project he is proudest of is the municipal Chambers Bay, which was built on a former sand mine near Seattle. “When we first went on site, there was sand everywhere. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” While Chambers Bay is a public course, the RTJ II firm hoped it would host tournaments. “When designing the course, we were thinking of how to use the public trail connections for gallery circulation,” said Charlton. “When Chambers Bay was selected to host the U.S. Open, it was like winning an Academy Award.” Charlton’s career with RTJ II has taken him to many countries, but the success of Chambers Bay led to even more opportunities. “We’ve had the chance to work on some great, sandy sites in Vietnam and Mexico,” he said. “Because of that project, people see that we can create some pretty cool golf experiences.” Listen to the full “Tartan Talk” at golfcourseindustry.com. “ When Chambers Bay was selected to host the U.S. Open, it was like winning an Academy Award” ASGCA Past President Bruce Char l ton Como golf course in Saint Paul, Minnesota, is expected to reopen this spring following the completion of a four- month project to reduce pollution of Como Lake. Kevin Norby, ASGCA, oversaw work on three holes and the creation of a new stormwater basin to capture and clean 11 million gallons of runoff from surrounding roads, parking areas and paths, preventing an estimated 55 pounds of phosphorus from entering Como Lake each year. Prior to the project, the seventh was relatively flat and had turf issues, while water from 150 acres of land between holes three and eleven was draining into an existing stormwater pond. Norby recontoured the seventh fairway to allow the club to improve surface drainage and create a more interesting and natural looking fairway. Between holes three and eleven, a new iron-enhanced sand filter was constructed to remove dissolved phosphorus, a pollutant in the water that fuels algae growth. A smart control system has also been installed to help regulate the level of the pond and to optimize the effects of the iron- enhanced sand filter. Como golf project reduces lake pollution Photo: Capital Region Watershed District