By Design - Issue 54, 75 Years Special Report

12 Andy Staples, ASGCA, reconfigured the Squire course at PGA National in Florida to make space for a dedicated match play course, The Match (pictured), plus a new nine-hole par-three layout called The Staple SPECIAL REPORT beautiful park/open space down the street… it’s a golf course.” Andy Staples, ASGCA, has built his golf course design firm, Staples Golf, on a commitment to sustainability. “Prioritizing sustainability in golf signifies a good-faith commitment to uphold inherent principals and standards to ensure the game’s prosperity into the future.” And greater prosperity will be possible if the golf course provides a clear benefit to its local community. “Golf ’s long-term sustainable strategy will integrate the foundation of the game of golf and its playing fields into all aspects of community life,” continues Staples. “The net impact on the game will result in not only increased pride and utilization of the property, but also show verified results in reduced resource use, the efficient use of water and power, and the increase of high- quality playability and experience via firm and fast conditions designed equitably for all skill levels.” Richard Mandell, ASGCA, believes that sustainability can best be achieved by incorporating the principle of character in golf course architecture. “Allowing the land to dictate design and not allowing one particular look to dominate decisions is the only way to ensure character for each golf course,” he says. “This happens through preserving what was already there, either through topography of the ground or determining which distinctive traits shall be preserved within an existing layout. Every step in the design process – from initial routing to planning of each golf hole – is derived from the attributes of each individual landscape. That’s sustainability. The courses that have true character are those that last long into the future.” As more golf clubs recognize the value of economic and environmental sustainable practices, the more such practices can be honed and developed to increase both adoption and the extent of their impact. “Look for even more creative