Issue 7 | Summer 2011 BY DESIGN Excellence in Design from the American Society of Architects

Getting better Unlocking potential through course renovation

Also: Alternative golf facilities • Construction technology • locations • Golf’s true history

FOREWORD

he focus on alternative golf facilities that we started in the last issue of CONTENTS By Design and continue in this has demonstrated that the industry is Tassertively looking for new ways to grow the game. Golf’s increasing focus on enhanced practice areas, short courses, putting courses and the Digest 5 like is providing easier routes into the game for new players, and ways of How to work in , a new project revitalizing participation among those who have given it up for reasons of in Rio, amazing plan to build a floating cost, difficulty or time. course in the Maldives, and more. The conclusive proof that the global golf industry is serious about embracing alternative facilities is found in the French federation’s successful Renovation 8 bid for the 2018 , highlighted in this issue. The federation’s Upgrading your course is vital to commitment, as part of its bid, to build 100 new golf facilities, mostly in the stay competitive, but there are other form of six or nine hole courses, in advance of 2018, is perhaps reasons why clubs choose to renovate. the most impressive demonstration yet of belief in such facilities to grow the game. Despite ’s long and impressive selection of full- Alternative golf 12 scale courses, ranging from resorts aimed at tourists to exclusive clubs like The second part of our look at the the very grand Morfontaine, the game remains the preserve of a minority in new-style facilities that are changing the country; this initiative has the potential to transform French golf into a golf, especially for beginners. true peoples’ pastime. As I take over as ASGCA President from Erik Larsen, it is my aim to remind Hydraulic mulches 14 everyone in the golf business of the importance of smaller scale facilities, or New developments to help golf just as importantly perhaps, smaller facilities within bigger existing facilities. construction go quicker and smoother. Over seventy percent of US golf rounds are played on public courses with a median green fee of $28; we should not be shy of promoting this fact! Tee locations 16 Marc Whitney reports on the new ‘Tee it Forward’ initiative. Golf history 17 Author Philip Young gives his perspective on the true history of golf. Yours sincerely, Closing thoughts 18 Marc Whitney reviews how ASGCA members are adapting to change.

Rick Phelps President American Society of Golf Course Architects COVER

Editor: Adam Lawrence; News: Sam Ballard; Design: Paul Robinson; Bruce Graham; Publisher: Toby Ingleton; Editorial contributor: Philip Young; ASGCA Staff: Chad Ritterbusch; Therese Johnston; Mike Shefky; Aileen Smith; Marc Whitney; Photography: supplied by Palmares Golf Resort; Ryan Farrow, Schmidt-Curley; Troon Golf; Old Elm; Vasatorps; The Prairie Club; Profile Products. Subscribe to By Design at www.tudor-rose.co.uk/bydesign

© 2011 American Society of Golf Course Architects. All rights reserved. www.asgca.org

By Design is sponsored by: Palmares Golf Resort, Portugal, renovated by Robert Trent Jones Jr, ASGCA Past President and Mark Voss, ASGCA Associate.

03

DIGEST

China | Adam Lawrence ‘Thirteen new China golf growth to continue courses’ for Thirteen new golf courses are hina’s golf market set to open in Morocco in the will continue to next three years, according to C grow, despite the country’s authorities. fears of a bubble and The country currently has 27 government disquiet about courses, but its Vision 2010 the game, according to one and Vision 2020 strategies of the country’s leading call for rapid expansion. golf figures. Figures released by the Speaking at the ASGCA Moroccan National Tourist annual meeting in Denver Schmidt-Curley Farrow, Ryan Photo: Office show that golf tourism in May, Ernie Wang, has increased by 40 percent publisher of Golf and in the last three years. magazines in The office has named 2011 China said that 52 new as the Year of Golf in . golf facilities, equivalent to The city has already hosted 60 eighteen hole courses, Stone Forest, one of China’s many recent golfing additions two professional tournaments opened in the country this year, the European Tour’s during 2010, a 13.5 percent for golf, offered the best forest land will improve Hassan II Golf Trophy and increase in China’s golfing possibilities. “There are the prospects for golf. We the on the stock. Wang told the over 100 cities with more need to make golf courses . meeting that, although than a million inhabitants on barren hills and desert the data is incomplete, in China, and over 400,000 lands. Land is expensive, ASGCA ‘Secrets’ he has evidence of 172 millionaires,” he said, so most courses have been book available golf projects under adding that, to succeed in built on sites leased for The tales about and stories construction in China, with the country, outsiders need between 40-70 years. This behind some of the world’s another 291 in planning. to commit themselves to drives short-termism. Don’t most memorable golf courses , he said, was China, rather than expecting expect to get naturally good are available in one place the main boom area. to make a short visit and sites. If they are available, from the American Society of For golf architects hoping immediately pick up work. they will be remote, with no Golf Course Architects. to work in China, Wang “China is overpopulated market for golf. You will be Secrets of the Great Golf said that the second and and short of water,” he said. supported and acclaimed for Course Architects includes third tier cities, which are “Making better use of water turning bad land into good Bill Coore, ASGCA currently underserved and protecting arable and and increasing its value.” confronted by naked, blowgun-wielding tribesmen in Indonesia and Pete Dye, Brazil Sam Ballard | ASGCA Fellow, who was not hired to build the second Rio resort wins planning consent nine at the first course he ever designed. Also, more A major new golf and leisure development is planned. Conceived in 2007, the project than one ASGCA member in Brazil has been granted planning permits. is located 16km from the ancient city of has been threatened with The developers behind the Rio de Petropolis. arrest without cause, all Janeiro International Golf Resort, UK firm Smyers said: “The plan is to commence while innocently designing International Golf & Resort Management detail design within the next month so golf courses. and the Rio-based company JCN, have been construction can start in September.” The Stories like these are only given the go-ahead to start construction. resort’s phased opening is expected to part of the moving and Set on a 1,100 hectare site, the resort start in early 2014. inspirational experiences will include a hotel, an eighteen hole golf Valued at 500m Brazilian reals (US$306m), of golf course architects course, designed by Nick Faldo’s company the developers say the resort will generate published in the book. The in association with Florida-based architect 2,000 direct and 4,000 indirect jobs and will book—co-authored by Steve Smyers, ASGCA, and a nine hole increase the available accommodation in Rio Michael Patrick Shiels—is three course. Another eighteen hole course state in the run-up to the 2016 Olympics. available at www.asgca.org.

05

DIGEST

ASGCA | Adam Lawrence New Vietnam course Amick honored by ASGCA Vietnamese developer Trung Nam Group has started lorida-based construction work on a new golf architect 400 hectare complex in Da FBill Amick was Nang, planned to include a honored with the golf course. The Golden Hills ASGCA’s Distinguished project is budgeted at $1.7 Service Award at the billion. organization’s recent annual meeting. Amick, a Swedish renovation past president of ASGCA, Amick (left) receives the Distinguished Service Award from ASGCA Past President Steve is just the fifth person in ASGCA Past President Erik Larsen Forrest has begun work on a the society’s history to major renovation of the Old receive this award. “ASGCA founder Bill Even today, we need more course at Vasatorps Long at the forefront Diddel first hired me as smaller courses. They are in Helsingborg, . of promoting affordable his assistant and allowed easier to maintain, faster, Forrest previously designed the golf, 2011 is the 52nd me to design bunkers less expensive and easier club’s new Tournament course. year of Amick’s Daytona and ,” Amick said. “I to play for beginners Beach-based architectural watched him and saw he and families. The idea PGA for Bellerive practice. During his career, designed a golf course for came home to me when Bellerive Country Club in St he has designed more than people who would actually I designed in Europe and Louis is to host the centennial 75 courses in the US and play it. He thought there watched people beginning PGA Championship in around the world. should be smaller courses. on these smaller courses.” 2018, plus the 2013 Senior PGA. The course, originally designed by ASGCA Maldives | Sam Ballard founder Robert Trent Jones Sr, was remodeled by his Troon plans Maldives floating course son, Rees, an ASGCA Past President, in 2005. Troon Golf has been appointed as technical to build a series of five floating islands that advisor to the proposed $500 million will incorporate a convention centre, hotels Kellogg upgrade floating golf course project in the Maldives. and golf course. Troon says that the project The city of Peoria, Ill., has Developed by the Dutch Docklands will be ‘scarless’ and include opportunities announced a renovation of company, the project is slated for for sustainable development such as its Kellogg Golf Course. The completion by 2015. The Maldivian watercooling, salt water collection and the work, which will begin in government has leased five areas around use of floating solar blanket fields. Dutch August, should cost around Male Atoll, close to the islands’ international architect Koen Olhuis of Waterstudio is $850,000 and will be airport, for a fifty year period, and proposes leading the design. completed in 2012. ASGCA The Maldives, whose highest point is only Past President Bob Lohmann two metres above sea level, has committed is leading the design work. to becoming the world’s first carbon neutral country by 2020. The nation Madrid opening already includes one artificial island, The new El Encin course in Hulhumale, which was completed in 2004, Madrid, , designed and covers an area of 445 acres. The island by Rick Baril, ASGCA, has was built to reduce overcrowding on Male, officially opened, and will which has over 100,000 people living in host the European Tour’s only one square mile. Madrid Masters from 6-9 The potential scale of the proposed October. Environmental golf course is not yet clear, although issues, including solar government minister Mahmood Razee has energy capture and the use previously admitted it may not be a full of recycled waste water for sized eighteen holes. No golf design firm irrigation were paramount in has yet been appointed to the project. design and construction.

07 RENOVATION

Getting better

Renovation | Adam Lawrence Golf clubs around the world are realizing the need to keep working on their courses, and ASGCA members are helping them do so.

08 | By Design othing stands still in golf. However carefully we maintain N our courses, Mother Nature always wins out: trees grow, then die, grasses we didn’t plant and don’t want invade our fairways and greens, bunkers change their shape. The best golf courses are planned in the full knowledge that they will change. Architects create elasticity, allowing for new tees to be built. Bunkers are added or removed—take a look at some of the writing of past architects like Harry Colt, who would often advise clubs that they should wait and see how courses played Getting before adding more bunkers. Every now and again, though, it’s necessary to create a new paradigm. Maybe the evolution of a course has taken it in a direction that, eventually, has made it less interesting, and the club wants to go back to something close to what they had before. Maybe a new course has opened down the street, drawing players away, and more and whistles are needed to compete. Or maybe the course has changed hands, the new owners have a different business model in mind, and need to make it fit their goals. This last imperative is a particularly strong trend in the current golf market. “I think a key trend in the US for the next few years will be repositioning,” says architect Steve Smyers, ASGCA. “There are a lot of properties that have closed down and been picked up by new owners at very good prices. As they were built, these courses aren’t always suitable for the business models the new owners have in mind, and so they’ll need to rebuild them to a greater or lesser extent. We are involved in a number of such projects at the moment—in some cases, building an entirely new course on top of the old infrastructure, as we did at Isleworth.”

09 RENOVATION

Recapturing the Colt style at Old Elm (above). Vasatorps Old course, before (top right) and after renovation

Another large-scale repurposing and planned for a 2012 opening, and three near the water is the highlight project opened recently in Portugal. associated real estate—has 27 holes, of this nine, which concludes with a Originally designed by Anglo-Dutch divided into three nines, named stiff climb up the eighth and ninth architect Frank Pennink and located Lagos, Alvor and Praia. back to the clubhouse. near the city of Lagos in the west The Praia, or beach, nine includes Other courses want to make the of the Algarve, Palmares opened in four holes on the seafront land most of their historic legacy. At the 1975. The course was best known always occupied by the course. On famous Old Elm club in Chicago, for the stretch of five holes set the inland side of the Tunes to Lagos originally designed by the legendary right next to the Atlantic Ocean, railway line, though, several holes, Harry Colt in 1913 and constructed the nearest thing to golf that including two clever short par fours, on his behalf by ASGCA founder existed in the Algarve. occupy newly-purchased land, which Donald Ross, architect Drew Rogers, Onyria, owned by the Pinto Coelho has been shaped to resemble a links. ASGCA has been working to return family which developed Quinta da This part of the site incorporates the golf course to something that Marinha in the 1980s in association a double green modelled after the more closely resembles Colt’s work. with Robert Trent Jones Sr, bought seventh and eleventh on the Old “The seventh at Old Elm is a par Palmares back in 2003. To bring course at , including an three with a subtle ridge between about its desired transformation at interesting replica of the famous the tees and the green,” says Rogers. Palmares, the company chose the Eden par three. “The green was nearly obscured due design practice of Robert Trent Jones The Alvor nine is mostly inland, and to a long, trench-like cross bunker II, continuing its 30 year association includes some steeper terrain, along that was cropped up along the ridge, with the Jones family. ASGCA Past with the course’s most severe greens. running completely across the hole. President Robert Trent Jones Jr The first three Alvor holes occupy the At some point, the cross bunker had himself, and Mark Voss, ASGCA least interesting land on the property been removed, and the green had Associate, led the project. (although the third green is excellent) become wholly visible. In addressing The new-look Palmares resort— but after a road crossing, the course the desire by the club here and on which will include a hotel, currently enters a beautiful natural valley, the other holes, we restored the original in the early stages of construction location for three holes. A pretty par cross bunker designed by Colt and

10 | By Design into the ponds. And, of course, when you replace soggy land with ponds, you don’t have to drain that land. What’s more, by expanding water features, we create more visible hazards that can be deployed more strategically.” He cites the mid-length par four third as one example. The dogleg left hole is so flat that a small water on the left is invisible from the tee. Forrest will expand the pond’s footprint fivefold and use the fill to recontour the fairway, then move the tees forward to improve safety relationships and create a driveable par four with water guarding the entire left side. An ownership change was at the heart of the need for renovation at the Ironwood Golf Course in Gainesville, Fla., although only after an extended period. The city bought the course, originally built in the 1960s, out of bankruptcy in 1992, and, by 2008, had realized it was tired and needed a makeover. Michael Beebe, ASGCA, was employed to manage a renovation project that included tree removal, new greens, tees, bunkers, cart paths, irrigation and extensive fairway drainage. “The city formed a visioning team in 2008 to make constructed by Ross. The green is still renovation of the Old course. Several recommendations on the golf course,” visible, particularly on the left side, holes will be repositioned or rerouted, says Beebe. “The visioning team and also opens to allow play from a and virtually every green will be recognized the important role that modern forward tee on the left side on moved. The layout’s bunkering scheme Ironwood played in the local golfing the ridge. This is a case where we can will be totally reimagined (Forrest community and recommended a restore original design intent while foresees a style that is flat-bottomed, $1.3 million capital improvement adapting to modern day member grass-faced and rough-hewn around program to be implemented in 2010. desires and needs.” the edges). Plans also call for a major Following a fast-track design process, At Vasatorps Golfklubb in Sweden, increase in the size, impact and we closed the course on April 1 so the opening of the new Tournament visibility of the layout’s water hazards. that the construction work could be course, designed by ASGCA Past “Nearly every green on the Old completed in time for a November President Steve Forrest a few years course will be brand new and has been re-opening. The immediate response ago, meant the club’s Old course had re-sited,” said Forrest. “If we’re going to following the re-opening has been been relegated to secondary status. renovate, we may as well put the greens outstanding with revenues for both “The Old course at Vasatorps has a and bunkers where they should be, to November and December being wonderful history, but it had clearly maximize strategy, challenge, aesthetic double the revenues from the same become the ‘members’ course since interest, safety and playability.” months in 2008 and 2009. Although the opening of our Tournament Many design improvements stem the course has only been open for course,” Forrest says. “The members from the effort to improve drainage: six months, early indications are the have seen all these new courses in the course occupies a very flat piece renovation has been a huge success Sweden—they’ve seen one at their of terrain that always drained poorly. with increased play, golfer satisfaction own club! They understand better “When you expand water features, it and great publicity for the city.” than anyone perhaps that the Old generates dirt—dirt you can employ to • course was lacking in several respects. raise up and better contour fairways,” To contact any of the ASGCA members Naturally they wanted to restore it to a Forrest explained. “We’ve done this mentioned here or for a complete position of prominence and respect.” strategically on the Old course, so membership list, visit So Forrest is launching a major fairways surface drain more efficiently www.asgca.org/members.

11 EXPERT VIEW

France has committed to create100 new golf facilities, mostly in urban areas

Alternative golf facilities | Sam Ballard How golf has changed its spots

olf, as even its enemies would Annual Meeting in Denver, members to have any meaning, greens must concede, is aspirational and discussed how architects could help have sufficient defenses, in the way G promotes honour and loyalty. lead the way in designing facilities for of either contour or surrounding These are great virtues for the game, this new format. hazards, to provide worthwhile and not ones to be easily abandoned. Powerplay, by contrast, aims to variety in the hole locations. It is But, as the golf industry has realized, create a new form of golf game that hard to imagine a Powerplay game the game does need to become more will be quicker and more exciting. working well on flat, ill-defended attractive to younger players. Originally created in the UK some greens. It may well find a niche as a Two new approaches to golf that five years ago, the format has recently made-for-TV professional golf format. have gained hundreds of column been given a bump as a result of But as a basis for everyday golf, it has inches in recent months are the a major investment from US firm clear limitations. How often does the Powerplay format and the new Colorado Sports Ventures. CSV’s average eighteen handicapper make Flogton concept promoted by former funds paid for a special event at Celtic a birdie at any time, let alone when, Sun Microsystems chief executive Manor in Wales that went out live on before hitting his approach shot he Scott McNealy. The Alternative Golf TVs around the world, and featured must nominate and fire for a specially Association launched its Project names like and tough hole location? The progenitors Flogton in January and got the golf Ian Poulter. of Powerplay must be aware of this world abuzz. A modified format, fact, though, and will doubtless Flogton, seemingly, is mainly aimed Powerplay competitions take place over be considering ways to make their at addressing the difficulty of golf to nine holes, and, crucially, use two hole format—which is undoubtedly beginners. Potential Flogton players locations on every green. Shooting for innovative and interesting—more are told to embrace any technological the regular flag earns normal points, appealing to non-expert golfers. innovations that will make the game but aiming for the black flag, set in a Taped-up drivers and black flags easier, to the extent of applying more difficult position, and successfully aside, the growth of interest in coatings to the face of drivers in the making a birdie, earns the player a alternative golf formats around hope it will make the ball fly straighter. significant bonus (naturally the player the world is easy to see. Take the Third putts are automatically good, must choose his flag before hitting his successful French bid for the 2018 inventors are urged to submit ideas approach shot!). Ryder Cup. France has a long history for balls or clubs that will aid players, From a golf architecture perspective, of golf, and a substantial number of mulligans are available on every hole, the Powerplay format is interesting. golf courses, including some of the and so forth. At the recent ASGCA Obviously, for the black flag concept best in Europe. It has a solid golfing

12 | By Design Gill Hanse, ASGCA built the ten hole Horse course at the Prairie Club in Nebraska population that is growing, albeit to bring golf to parts of France, and From a commercial developer’s relatively slowly. But golf in France to French communities that have no perspective, smaller scale facilities such remains a minority interest, especially contact with the game right now. It is a as putting courses or par threes, or when one compares the country to bold plan, and one that deserves much pitch and putts, are a great way to test other more dynamic golf nations praise if it comes to fruition. the water before committing to a bigger such as Sweden, where aggressive Elsewhere in the world, schemes project. Like many ASGCA members, development programs aimed that may be less grandiose, but that Past President Tom Clark says he sees primarily at young people, made golf on a smaller scale, help to widen golf’s many property owners looking to one of the most popular sports within appeal, are continuing to be planned, develop their properties as alternate a period of twenty years. built and used. Most people that have golf facilities until market conditions The French golf authorities, to their been to St Andrews will, hopefully, have improve, whether that be for tax write- credit, realize this. Basing their bid enjoyed a game on the Ladies’ Putting offs or short-term revenue producers. for the Ryder Cup on the exisiting Course, more popularly known as the “In Myrtle Beach, we built two short Golf National course outside Paris, Himalayas. Similar-style putting courses courses, Midway and Cane Patch, that rather than proposing a brand new, are springing up in many other locations were so successful they outperformed inevitably expensive development, around the globe, in country clubs as their eighteen hole championship gave them headroom to put forward a a means for post-round, post-dinner equivalents,” Clark says. “The courses bold scheme to transform the nature relaxation or at public venues to give did so well the owners opted to add an of golf in France. In the run-up to the otherwise non-golfers a reason to visit the additional nine at each facility, a driving 2018 matches, France has committed to facilities. Such courses are a brilliant way range and light them for night play. At create 100 new golf facilities, which will to introduce people, especially kids, to one point, Cane Patch was generating mostly be in urban areas, thus providing golf: a venue on which power is basically over 1000 rounds per day (and night) access to golf for millions of people. irrelevant and where little Jimmy might in peak season. The Midway complex Some commentators, interpreting the just beat his Dad—and thus be hooked was finally closed a few years back and commitment as 100 new eighteen hole, on golf for life. The ten-hole Horse course converted to high-density development, full length courses, have scoffed. But at the new Prairie Club in Nebraska, but Cane Patch is still going strong.” that is not what the French authorities designed by Gil Hanse, ASGCA, has • plan. Rather, the new facilities will be a proved a major success for the club, to Visit asgca.org to see how ASGCA members mix of driving ranges, academies, short the extent that Hanse is now working on are responding to changes in the game. courses, nine hole courses, and so on. the club’s third full-length eighteen hole The French development initiatives will be Such developments offer the potential golf course. covered in more depth in a future issue.

13 EXPERT VIEW

Construction technology | Profile Products Hydraulic mulches extend growing seasons

rom the moment a golf course bottom line. Yet, it’s still critical to the pinnacle of the hydraulic mulch construction is given the green protect exposed soil and grow grass category with its ability to immediately F light, it’s a race to establish as quickly as possible. control erosion and establish turf vegetation and make the course A typical practice to replace sod has faster than any other class. playable. Only then can the course been the use of erosion control blankets. According to Esie O’Mahoney, Project owner sell rounds and generate With blankets, smooth soil preparation Director of Sol Golf Construction, revenue. While many variables can is critical to their success. Metal staples Flexterra HP-FGM by Profile Products ultimately determine the outcome of are needed to hold blankets down performs well under the most the race, weather remains a universal and must be collected before mowing. challenging circumstances. “The site constant no matter where on the Netting on the blankets can cause for the Trump course in globe the build is taking place. environmental issues by trapping is spectacular but not without its “Depending on where you are in the animals and adding plastic to the land, construction and grow-in challenges. world, the conditions you’re working and it can get trapped in mowers. Moving dunes and strong winds with are going to be different,” said Soil can also wash out from under meant that we had to find a solution Thad Layton, architect with Arnold mats in a downpour. “Not only do to stabilize the site as well as guarantee Palmer Design, who currently works heavier rains wash the soil out from establishment of hand sprigged primarily on projects outside of the underneath the mat, but they can take marram grass. We trialed a number United States, including Mexico and the whole blanket down the river in a of mulches on the sand dunes in China. “Those conditions directly really bad storm event,” Layton said. February, including Flexterra HP-FGM. influence what type of products you Covering seed or sprigs with The paper mulches disintegrated go with on the course.” hydraulically applied mulch is a within a week but the Flexterra HP Builders may not always have ideal much less labor-intensive and more held the dunes in place and continues growing conditions for golf course cost-effective option. to protect the hand sprigged grasses. development. But architects can play There are a variety of hydraulic We are delighted that we found a a key role in specifying products to mulches available. Mulches can product so perfect for the site.” help accelerate turf establishment contain cellulose, fiber, HP-FGM utilizes technology and control erosion—even during the man-made synthetic fibers, plant that combines both chemical and monsoon rains. If builders can work byproducts including cotton fibers, mechanical bonding techniques to up to the start of the rainy season and straw. The most highly advanced keep soil in place while retaining more without worrying about erosion engineered hydraulic mulches contain water for faster germination. Thermally issues, a significant amount of the finest wood fibers, man-made refined wood fibers, crimped man- additional work can be accomplished. fibers and other ingredients as is the made fibers and other additives Using the newest generation of case with Flexible Growth Medium form a lofty, interlocking matrix that hydraulic mulches is an effective and (FGM) and High Performance-Flexible bonds directly to the soil surface, so cost-effective way to establish turf, Growth Medium (HP-FGM) products. time-consuming soil preparation isn’t protect the soil and extend the work FGM mulch bonds directly to the needed. By using 100 percent sterilized season in less-than-perfect conditions. contours of the soil with minimal soil recycled wood fibers, man-made fibers Installing sod is the quickest way preparation required. that are 100 percent biodegradable, to get turf established on site, but First introduced in 2004, FGM was and natural components, HP-FGM installation costs can quickly bust the most advanced in the spectrum is tested to be non-toxic to fish and the budget. From product costs to of hydraulic mulches until the wildlife. HP-FGM is not only the most shipping and installation, sod is the second-generation FGM known as effective erosion control option, it’s most expensive option and can be HP-FGM was introduced in 2010. also the most environmentally friendly an unattractive solution to a project’s HP-FGM quickly established itself as option available.

14 | By Design Joe Betulius Joe Betulius is the vice president of marketing for Profile Products. He has worked with golf course architects around the world, most recently focusing his efforts on Europe and the Middle East.

HP-FGM protects soil right away, Erosion Control Performance but also protects it longer than Average percent effectiveness other hydraulically applied mulches. Dormant seeding on prepared soils 100% to protect over the winter months or 90% in arid regions when you are relying only on infrequent natural rain, can be 80% done with confidence using HP-FGM hydraulic mulches. The moisture 70% retention of HP-FGMs greatly reduces watering requirements to establish 60% turf. They have a documented functional longevity of 18 months— 50% High Performance more than bonded fiber matrices, Straw/Cotton Double-Net Bonded Double-Net -Flexible wood mulches and straw/cotton Hydraulic Mulch Straw Blanket Fiber Matrix Excelsior Blanket Growth Medium mulches—as tested to ASTM D5338. According to testing conducted at one of the most respected research laboratories in the United States, the Utah Water Research Laboratory, HP-FGM kept 99 percent of soil on site, substantially more effective than a double-net excelsior blanket, bonded fiber matrix, double-net straw blanket or straw/cotton hydraulic mulch. Layton said he believes specifying the right hydraulic mulch can be a benefit when dealing with a build in a rainy region or time of year. “To make hay while the sun is shining, you have to get the soil stabilized immediately, especially if there’s high potential for rain. If you don’t, you can set yourself back on Hydraulic mulch in use schedule and you could conceivably compromise your golf course.” Moisture management plays a allows for rapid germination and Establishing turf quickly can mean critical role in establishing turf fast. accelerated plant growth. the difference between finishing HP-FGM fiber matrices have the Layton said FGMs can be a great on time and waiting until the next highest water-holding capacity of any choice when a builder is establishing season to complete the job. According category, according to ASTM D7367. turf in the hot and dry months of the to independent lab testing using The water-absorbing cavities and summer, as FGMs save water during standard test method ASTM D7322, organic polymers in HP-FGM create grow-ins. “Even when it gets dry, it traps nothing establishes turf faster or more a continuous, porous, absorbent and that moisture you need and speeds up completely than HP-FGM. flexible erosion-resistant blanket that the germination process.”• 15 EXPERT VIEW

Golfers can potentially speed up play and have more fun by using tees that provide the greatest playability

Jim Hyler, USGA President

Tee locations | Marc Whitney Tee it Forward for greater enjoyment

he ongoing efforts of the ASGCA members have helped course changing needs of current and future American Society of Golf owners and developers for years by players. T Course Architects (ASGCA) designing multiple tee options to serve “ASGCA applauds the efforts of and its members to provide fun, players of all skill levels. The the allied associations and the ‘Tee challenging, rewarding experiences remains to play a course to a length it Forward’ campaign,” said ASGCA at the golf course for players of all which maintains the challenge of a President Rick Phelps. “It is natural ages is being championed by golf’s good design while always being fun for a player’s eyes to get big when allied associations, including the for the golfer. And where necessary, they step out on a course and want United States Golf Association ASGCA members will work with to play from the longest tees. In (USGA), the Professional Golfers clients to create new or additional tee reality it is far more fun—and better Association (PGA) and Golf Course boxes to meet player needs. for the scorecard—to play from tees Superintendents Association of The views of industry officials where you are comfortable but still America (GCSAA). Golf’s allied match nicely to the formal and experience the challenge of a well- groups are promoting ‘Tee it informal discussions of ASGCA designed course. I was pleased to see Forward,’ a campaign announced members at the 65th ASGCA Annual the attention this initiative received at the 2011 U.S. Open encouraging Meeting in Denver. There, members at the U.S. Open. ASGCA looks players to compete from the tees spoke about the need for shorter forward to being a part of the effort’s which match their ability. courses designed to address the further promotion.” “Golfers can potentially speed up • play and have more fun by using tees that provide the greatest playability and enjoyment,” said USGA President Jim Hyler. “It’s about changing the mindset of golfers in a positive way by encouraging people to consider setting aside that desire to play from 6,500 to 6,700 yards and move up and play a course around 6,000 to 6,200 yards. I’ve been ‘Teeing it Forward’ for several months, I play faster, and I’m definitely having more fun. “‘Tee it Forward’ can add a new layer of fun we believe can be healthy for the future of the game.”

16 | By Design Professional golf isn’t where the game’s true history lies

Golf history | Philip Young

Philip Young Understanding In addition to being an author and the historian for the Tillinghast Association, Philip also provides research services to golf clubs and architects through his golf’s history company, Golden Age Research.

pril has come and gone and older that special day came when we Nearly 50 years later and I can still with it that rite of spring we were taken to a where distinctly remember four things. The A know as the Masters. With we could finally feel that ‘click’ as we feel of the ball as I struck it with my each edition comes a new triumph of strove with all our youthful might to Pederson 2&1/2 wood and watching history made as well another piece hit the striped ball with negligible it fly high, far, true and straight, of its storied past that is celebrated compression out past the 150 yard carrying the bunker placed at the left anew. This year was the 25th post, and if we hadn’t already been, corner of this short par five more than anniversary of Nicklaus’ amazing now we were hooked. 200 yards away. I can remember being triumphant win for the ages at 46, It was as glorious an April Sunday stunned by a spontaneous outburst while the tournament itself crowned as any that has ever been seen in the of applause from those standing there a relatively unknown, to the American eastern corner of Augusta when my watching. I will never forget the look viewer anyway, Charl Schwartzel. parents brought me with them and my of absolute pride on my father’s face Young Schwartzel became the first older brother to the Merrick Road Park as I walked over to my golf bag, heart victor to birdie the final four holes on golf course. There was a nearly four beating furiously within my chest. And this glorious Sunday afternoon as one hour wait to tee off on this nine-hole I will never forget how I proceeded to contender after another fell tragically municipal which had been built on the top my next three attempts at moving short. As each contender fell. history’s site of reclaimed land that had once the ball further down the fairway. The triumph became ever more assured. served as a garbage dump on Long grandest of delusions come crashing For the average golfer the history of Island. I had never seen that many sea down the hardest of all. the game is inextricably bound with gulls floating overhead nor experienced It is for those memories that every professional golf. Yet this isn’t where a smell so ripe in the odor wafting up golf architect working countless golf’s true history resides. from the ground and nearby inlet, yet lonely hours walking overgrown land I am having a hard time coming it didn’t matter because I was about to to route a course, riding a tractor to to grips with the fact that in just a play golf for the very first time. shape it to meet his vision or standing few more years it will be the fiftieth Even at that age the course inspired there bent over a drawing board anniversary of the very first time I teed the delusions of grandeur that every putting that vision to paper, that up a ball up on a golf course. I was first-time player feels as visions of they should be thanked. For those raised in a lower middle-class family kept appearing in my who create the Merrick Road Park where both parents had a passion head. My parents played here every golf courses of the world provide the for the game that the income simply Sunday and so knew many of those playing fields of the game where the couldn’t match. All six children were also awaiting their tee-off time’s arrival. true history of this wonderful game is taught to play and given hand-me- Quietly they learned that the gangly to be found, even if it is on land that down sets of already over-used clubs red-head with the large ears and far too once served as a garbage dump. After from which to hit plastic golf balls many freckles was to be holding them all, isn’t that the sort of fact of which in our back yard. As we each grew up as he was a ‘first-timer.’ the history of golf is made?• 17 CLOSING THOUGHTS

One thing which has endured is the leadership, innovation and adaptability of ASGCA members

Closing Thoughts | Marc Whitney

Marc Whitney Marc is Director of External Communications at ASGCA. He has 20 Adjusting to years spent more than 20 years in sports public relations and marketing. He currently also serves as an adjunct professor in the College of Communications at Marquette new realities University, Milwaukee, Wis.

he story is known within golf message for the right time in is estimated the majority of all design circles: Donald Ross, promoting the economic, social and new golf developments are being T Robert Trent Jones, Sr. and 12 environmental benefits a golf course designed by ASGCA members. others gathered 65 years ago to form brings to its community. • Renovations which continue to the American Society of Golf Course The positive direction continued serve players, owners and the Architects. Those who met in 1947 at the 65th ASGCA Annual Meeting environment (p. 8), from local could not have predicted everything in Denver in May, where a packed public facilities to some of the which has happened in golf over the three-day education schedule most famous courses in golf. years (16 under at the U.S. Open?!), included presentations from • An openness to new approaches to but one thing which has endured international leaders both inside and golf (p. 12), where ASGCA member- is the leadership, innovation and outside of golf. Members working designed facilities can help attract adaptability of ASGCA members. around the globe came together the next generation of players. Look around and see the positive again to embrace the game, their impression made by ASGCA profession and the responsibilities The allied associations’ message members as you read about those which come from being leaders to ‘Tee it Forward’ (p. 16) reminds shaping the game, adjusting to in an industry still in the state of that ASGCA members’ respect ‘new realities’ while respecting past flux. The presentation of ASGCA’s for players of diverse skill levels traditions and spearheading the Distinguished Service Award to is illustrated by designs which movement toward greater inclusion, Past President Bill Amick (p. 7) challenge while remaining fun. For enhanced playability and greater recognized the work of a man who decades, members have repositioned sustainability for all golf courses, has long designed and promoted courses or designed various tees regardless of a player’s skill level. shorter, affordable courses. to accommodate broad groups of Examples of architects adjusting ASGCA President Rick Phelps’ players, work which will continue as were noticeable at the Golf decision to have members play ASGCA members help clients adapt Industry Show in Orlando, Fla., in three public facilities was an to future marketplaces. February. Business opportunities example of ‘walking the talk’ about What will ASGCA members be afforded through master planning, the importance of the 95% of golf discussing in another 65 years at renovations, 12-hole course designs courses which receive little to no the 2076 Annual Meeting? We can and more populated conversations. publicity, but are the backbone of be certain ASGCA and its members ASGCA Immediate Past President the game. will be a part of golf’s continuing Erik Larsen’s Value of the Golf Examples of ASGCA’s leadership evolution, which would leave the Course message was enthusiastically role are evident throughout this issue founders quite pleased indeed. received by industry leaders and of By Design: Look for more on the 2011 ASGCA national and international media, • Impacting the changing landscape Annual Meeting in Denver in the next cited several times as the right of (p. 5), where it issue of By Design. • 18 | By Design SPONSORS

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