American Society of Golf Course Architects

American Society of Golf Course Architects
Founded 1946
Founders William 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
Website http://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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Term YearPresidentTerm YearPresident
1947Robert Bruce & Donald Ross1981-1982Richard Nugent
1948-1949Robert Bruce Harris1982-1983Arthur Jack Snyder
1949-1950Stanley Thompson1983-1984Ted Robinson
1950-1951Robert Trent Jones1984-1985Mike Hurdzan
1951-1952William B. Langford1985-1986John Watson
1952-1953William P. Bell1986-1987Kenneth K. Killian
1953-1954William F. Gordon1987-1988Roger Rulewich
1954-1955William H. Diddel1989-1990Robert Trent Jones, Jr.
1955-1956James G. Harrison1990-1991Dan Maples
1956-1957Robert F. Lawrence1991-1992Tom Clark
1957-1958William F. Bell1992-1993Arthur Hills
1958-1959Howard Watson1993-1994Jerry Matthews
1959-1960David W. Gordon1994-1995Don Knott
1960-1961J. Press Maxwell1995-1996Jeffrey Brauer
1961-1962C.E. Robinson1996-1997Denis Griffiths
1962-1963Ralph Plummer1997-1998Alice Dye
1963-1964William B. Langford1998-1999Bob Lohmann
1964-1965Robert F. Lawrence1999-2000John Lafoy
1965-1966William Diddel2000-2001Brian Ault
1966-1967Floyd Farley2001-2002Damian Pascuzzo
1967-1968William F. Gordon2002-2003Jay Morrish
1968-1969Fred Garbin2003-2004Clyde Johnston
1969-1970James G. Harrison2004-2005Bill Love
1970-1971E. Lawrence Packard2005-2006Tom Marzolf
1971-1972C.E. Robinson2006-2007Greg Muirhead
1972-1973Frank Duane2007-2008Steve Forrest
1973-1974Ellis Maples2008-2009Bruch Charlton
1974-1975Robert Muir Graves2009-2010Doug Carrick
1975-1976Geoffrey Cornish2010-2011Erik Larsen
1976-1977Edwin B. Seay2011-2012Rick Phelps
1977-1978William Amick2012-2013Bob Cupp
1978-1979Rees Jones2013-2014Rick Robbins
1979-1980Jack Kidwell2014-2015Lee Schmidt
1980-1981Richard Phelps2015-2016Steve Smyers

[9]

Donald Ross Award Winners

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.

YearRecipientOccupationYearRecipientOccupation
1976Robert Trent JonesASGCA Founding Member1995Pete DyeGolf Course Architect
1977Herbert WarrenWind Golf Digest Columnist; Author1996Ron WhittenGolf Writer
1978Herb and Joe GraffisFounders, National Golf Foundation1997Gene SarazenProfessional Golfer
1979Joe DeyFormer Executive Director of the USGA1998Judy BellPresident, USGA
1980Gerald MicklemFormer Captain, Royal and Ancient1999Arnold PalmerProfessional Golfer
1981James RhodesGovernor of Ohio2000Jaime Ortiz-PatiñoOwner and President, Valderrama Golf Club
1982Geoffrey CornishGolf Course Architect; Historian2001Jack NicklausProfessional Golfer; Golf Course Architect
1983Al RadkoFormer Director, USGA Green Section2002Byron NelsonProfessional Golfer
1984Dinah ShoreSponsor of Women’s Golf Tournaments2003Bill CampbellPresident, USGA; Captain, Royal & Ancient Golf Club
1985Peter DobereinerLondon Observer Columnist; Author2004Thomas CousinsPhilanthropist; Urban Golf Developer
1986Deane BemanPGA Tour Commissioner2005John SingletonIrrigation Pioneer
1987Charles PriceWorld Golf Magazine2006Jim AwtreyCEO, PGA of America
1988Frank HanniganExecutive Director, USGA2007Dr. Michael HurdzanGolf Course Architect
1989Dick TaylorEditor, World Golf Magazine2008George PeperGolf Writer
1990John ZollerFormer Executive Director, No. California Golf Association2009Ron DodsonSustainable Golf Advocate
1991Michael BonallackSecretary, Royal and Ancient (St. Andrews)2010Tim FinchemPGA Tour Commissioner
1992Paul FullmerASGCA Executive Secretary2011James DodsonGolf Writer Editor
1993Brent WadsworthGolf Course Builder2012Bill KublyGolf Course Builder
1994James R. WatsonAgronomist2013Rees JonesGolf Course Architect

[10]

See also

References

  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. ↑ http://asgca.org/about-asgca
  4. 1 2 Shefky, Mike. "About ASGCA". American Society of Golf Course Architects. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  5. ↑ http://asgca.org/history
  6. 1 2 Shefky, Mike. "ASGCA History". American Society of Golf Course Architects. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  7. 1 2 3 Shefky, Mike. "ASGCA Our Members". American Society of Golf Course Architects. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  8. ↑ http://asgca.org/our-members
  9. ↑ http://asgca.org/members
  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.
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