American Society of Golf Course Architects

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American Society of Golf Course Architects
Founded1946
FoundersWilliam P. Bell, Robert White, W.B. Langford, Donald Ross, Robert Bruce Harris, Stanley Thompson, William F. Gordon, Robert Trent Jones Sr., William Diddel, and J.B. McGovern, Perry Maxwell, Jack Daray and Robert "Red" Lawrence.
Location
Websitehttp://www.asgca.org

The American Society of Golf Course Architects (abbreviated as ASGCA) is a professional organization of golf course designers in America. Founded in 1946,[1] its members are actively involved in the design of new courses and the renovation of existing courses in the United States and Canada.[2] One of its founders was noted golf course architect Robert White. The abbreviation is typically referenced at the end of a person's name when documenting or discussing golf course architecture.

About ASGCA[edit]

Founded in 1946, the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA) is the oldest professional organization of golf course designers in America.[3]

All ASGCA members have completed of a minimum of five major golf course projects and are peer-reviewed by the ASGCA membership.[4]

Over the past several years ASGCA has published three editions of An Environmental Approach to Golf Course Development to help educate permitting boards, town councils, developers, media, and the general public about the positive role golf courses can play in preserving the environment. Released in 2008, the current, third edition highlights 18 case studies that showcase success stories dealing with a variety of sensitive habitats. [4]

History[edit]

This excerpt from the 1947 ASGCA minutes confirms ASGCA and the golf industry have faced some of the same issues for decades. In the following, Mr. Richard Tufts of Pinehurst addresses the 10 assembled charter members regarding the work of the "Implements and Balls Committee" of the USGA:[5]

"This problem primarily concerns the flight of the golf ball, of course, which is why I thought you as golf course architects would be interested in it essentially. It is something the USGA has been working on for a good many years. Mr. Fownes, who is president here (Pinehurst), was very active as chairman of this committee when he held that position prior to his service as President of the USGA, and he did a great deal of work on this whole problem of the golf ball. I've been very much interested in it since I've been Chairman of the committee. We feel that a golf course is designed for a certain type of shot to the green, and that as you increase the length of the tee shot, you throw the golf course all out of scale. Therefore, it spoils the pleasure of the play to have this continual increase in the flight of the ball. We feel that the question involves not only the ball but also the equipment of the game; that possibly the shaft had something to do with the increased length of the ball. We've done a lot of work in Chicago with our machine there in testing the ball. Since our tests first started back in 1942 we haven't observed much increase in the flight of the ball, it's been pretty constant. The manufacturers say pretty much the same thing: that they haven't changed the ball very much, and in their opinions it hasn't increased.[6]

"However, that doesn't mean that it might not increase in the future. It's quite possible that improvements to the present ball have just about reached 100 percent efficiency under the present method of manufacture, but it's quite possible that there might be improvements in plastics, or other material, that would greatly increase the flight of the present ball. We feel that it would be a very serious thing for the game, and we'd like the support of your association in maintaining the present ball; helping us with this...

"At the conclusion of Mr. Tuft's speech, Mr. Thompson made a motion that the Society send a resolution to the USGA to the effect that as a body the members pledge their support to the rules and regulations adopted by the USGA, and that the Society recognizes the USGA as the ruling body of golf in the United States. Mr. Bell seconded the motion and it passed unanimously...

"The Society then appointed a committee of two to work on this resolution: Mr. Donald J. Ross and Mr. Robert Trent Jones. Mr. Jones was appointed delegate to the USGA's annual meeting."[6]

Membership[edit]

Membership in ASGCA signifies that an architect is a qualified profession golf course architect. Every ASGCA member must complete a two-year application process and prove that they have acquired sound technical training, have no less than eight years of practical experience in golf course architecture, have designed at least five 18-hole golf course equivalents and is recognized by other ASGCA members as a competent professional golf course architect.

Peer Review[edit]

ASGCA members are very involved in the review of each potential member's application. Four of the five representative courses submitted on an application are evaluated in person by an ASGCA member. The member studies plans of the course, interviews construction personnel, club management and either walks or plays the course with the applicant.[7]

Each applicant must also be sponsored by three ASGCA members. The sponsors are members who can personally vouch for the character, professional integrity and high level of applied architecture skill of the applicant.

Code of Ethics[edit]

In addition, ASGCA members abide by standards of professional practice and a stringent code of ethics. The code of ethics set standards for the golf course architect's role in contract negotiations and their responsibilities to the client. Many public agencies and entities have recognized that the ASGCA membership constitutes the highest professional standards in golf course design.[7]

Description of Membership[edit]

A member of the American Society of Golf Course Architects is one who by virtue of their knowledge of the game, training, experience, vision and inherent ability, is in all ways qualified to design and prepare specifications for a course of functional and aesthetic perfection. They are further qualified to execute and oversee the implementation on the ground of his plans and specifications to create an enjoyable layout that challenges golfers of all abilities and exemplifies the highest standards and traditions of golf. They will counsel in all phases of the work to protect the best interest of their client.[7]

Each member of the American Society of Golf Course Architects is engaged primarily in golf course architecture, and their qualifications have satisfied the Board of Governors in all respects.[8]

Past and Present Presidents[edit]

Term Year President Term Year President
1947 Robert Bruce & Donald Ross 1981-1982 Richard Nugent
1948-1949 Robert Bruce Harris 1982-1983 Arthur Jack Snyder
1949-1950 Stanley Thompson 1983-1984 Ted Robinson
1950-1951 Robert Trent Jones 1984-1985 Mike Hurdzan
1951-1952 William B. Langford 1985-1986 John Watson
1952-1953 William P. Bell 1986-1987 Kenneth K. Killian
1953-1954 William F. Gordon 1987-1988 Roger Rulewich
1954-1955 William H. Diddel 1989-1990 Robert Trent Jones Jr.
1955-1956 James G. Harrison 1990-1991 Dan Maples
1956-1957 Robert F. Lawrence 1991-1992 Tom Clark
1957-1958 William F. Bell 1992-1993 Arthur Hills
1958-1959 Howard Watson 1993-1994 Jerry Matthews
1959-1960 David W. Gordon 1994-1995 Don Knott
1960-1961 J. Press Maxwell 1995-1996 Jeffrey Brauer
1961-1962 C.E. Robinson 1996-1997 Denis Griffiths
1962-1963 Ralph Plummer 1997-1998 Alice Dye
1963-1964 William B. Langford 1998-1999 Bob Lohmann
1964-1965 Robert F. Lawrence 1999-2000 John Lafoy
1965-1966 William Diddel 2000-2001 Brian Ault
1966-1967 Floyd Farley 2001-2002 Damian Pascuzzo
1967-1968 William F. Gordon 2002-2003 Jay Morrish
1968-1969 Fred Garbin 2003-2004 Clyde Johnston
1969-1970 James G. Harrison 2004-2005 Bill Love
1970-1971 E. Lawrence Packard 2005-2006 Tom Marzolf
1971-1972 C.E. Robinson 2006-2007 Greg Muirhead
1972-1973 Frank Duane 2007-2008 Steve Forrest
1973-1974 Ellis Maples 2008-2009 Bruch Charlton
1974-1975 Robert Muir Graves 2009-2010 Doug Carrick
1975-1976 Geoffrey Cornish 2010-2011 Erik Larsen
1976-1977 Edwin B. Seay 2011-2012 Rick Phelps
1977-1978 William Amick 2012-2013 Bob Cupp
1978-1979 Rees Jones 2013-2014 Rick Robbins
1979-1980 Jack Kidwell 2014-2015 Lee Schmidt
1980-1981 Richard Phelps 2015-2016 Steve Smyers

[9]

Donald Ross Award Winners[edit]

The Donald Ross Award, ASGCA's highest honor, is presented annually to an individual who has made significant and lasting contributions to the profession of golf course architecture.

Year Recipient Occupation Year Recipient Occupation
1976 Robert Trent Jones ASGCA Founding Member 1995 Pete Dye Golf Course Architect
1977 Herbert Warren Wind Golf Digest Columnist; Author 1996 Ron Whitten Golf Writer
1978 Herb and Joe Graffis Founders, National Golf Foundation 1997 Gene Sarazen Professional Golfer
1979 Joe Dey Former executive director of the USGA 1998 Judy Bell President, USGA
1980 Gerald Micklem Former captain, Royal and Ancient 1999 Arnold Palmer Professional Golfer
1981 James Rhodes Governor of Ohio 2000 Jaime Ortiz-Patiño Owner and President, Valderrama Golf Club
1982 Geoffrey Cornish Golf course architect; historian 2001 Jack Nicklaus Professional Golfer; Golf Course Architect
1983 Al Radko Former director, USGA Green Section 2002 Byron Nelson Professional Golfer
1984 Dinah Shore Sponsor of Women's Golf Tournaments 2003 Bill Campbell President, USGA; Captain, Royal & Ancient Golf Club
1985 Peter Dobereiner London Observer columnist; author 2004 Thomas Cousins Philanthropist; Urban Golf Developer
1986 Deane Beman PGA Tour commissioner 2005 John Singleton Irrigation Pioneer
1987 Charles Price World Golf Magazine 2006 Jim Awtrey CEO, PGA of America
1988 Frank Hannigan Executive director, USGA 2007 Dr. Michael Hurdzan Golf Course Architect
1989 Dick Taylor Editor, World Golf Magazine 2008 George Peper Golf Writer
1990 John Zoller Former executive director, No. California Golf Association 2009 Ron Dodson Sustainable Golf Advocate
1991 Michael Bonallack Secretary, Royal and Ancient (St. Andrews) 2010 Tim Finchem PGA Tour Commissioner
1992 Paul Fullmer ASGCA Executive Secretary 2011 James Dodson Golf Writer Editor
1993 Brent Wadsworth Golf Course Builder 2012 Bill Kubly Golf Course Builder
1994 James R. Watson Agronomist 2013 Rees Jones Golf Course Architect

[10]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Bill Mallon, Randon Jerris, Historical Dictionary of Golf (Scarecrow Press, 2011), ISBN 978-0810871977, p. 32. Excerpts available at Google Books.
  2. ^ "About ASGCA". Archived from the original on 22 February 2008. Retrieved 2008-02-29.
  3. ^ "About ASGCA". Archived from the original on 2013-11-11. Retrieved 2013-11-25.
  4. ^ a b Shefky, Mike. "About ASGCA". American Society of Golf Course Architects. Archived from the original on 2013-11-11. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  5. ^ "History of Arizona Golf".
  6. ^ a b Shefky, Mike. "ASGCA History". American Society of Golf Course Architects. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  7. ^ a b c Shefky, Mike. "ASGCA Our Members". American Society of Golf Course Architects. Archived from the original on 2013-11-22. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  8. ^ "Our Members". Archived from the original on 2013-11-22. Retrieved 2013-11-11.
  9. ^ "Find A Member". asgca.org. Archived from the original on 2010-07-10.
  10. ^ Shefky, Mike. "ASGCA Donald Ross Award Winners". American Society of Golf Course Architects. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 25 November 2013.

External links[edit]

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