By Design - Issue 54, 75 Years Special Report

7 Photo: Dave Sansom, courtesy of Forrest Richardson & Assoc. ASGCA Past President Jan Bel Jan has championed ADA and accessible courses, as has ASGCA Past President Dick Phelps, David Whelchel, ASGCA, and others. Our members have worked with the USGA, helped the PGA, been a part of the GCSAA and become involved in the NGCOA. Internationally we have elevated the quality and practices of developing courses, and we have partnered with the GCBAA to make sure the art of building courses never loses sight of that important word – art. There are too many members and Past Presidents to acknowledge in this space. Besides, the point is more about the sum of the efforts. ASGCA, simply put, has brought the art of golf design to a place where it is more respected, better understood and able to go far past the template holes that Charles Blair MacDonald once professed to “be all that is necessary” for the creation of an enjoyable golf course. No offense, Charles, but here we stand 100 years later with many more ideas and innovations than you ever imagined. We regard history, but not every member, client or project must conform to any pre-described formula or pattern. Golf courses must be individuals, and golf holes must continue to be created that are creative, beautiful and fun. If there is one wish I have for ASGCA beyond our 75th year, it would be that these “musts” be embraced to an even greater degree. That the design of the game never becomes static, and that our members and those new to ASGCA continue to push the envelope and never forget our innovative past. • Golf organizations Find out more about the organizations referenced in this article at their websites: Audubon International auduboninternational.org United States Golf Association www.usga.org PGA of America www.pga.com Golf Course Superintendents Association of America www.gcsaa.org National Golf Course Owners Association www.ngcoa.org Golf Course Builders Association of America www.gcbaa.org