INTERVIEW

Evolving the game In his forthcoming year as ASGCA President, Steve Smyers will focus on ‘the evolution of the game’ and its architecture. Marc Whitney finds out more

teve Smyers, ASGCA, has a An interest in course design and I also learned from him what it took to simple message. “The game of architecture was sparked. That spark get a course ready for a championship.” Sgolf is extremely healthy! There would turn into quite the flame, as Besides the Dyes – both ASGCA Past are 25 million players – 21 million evidenced today by Smyers’ work at Presidents – Smyers notes the positive are active – and nearly 16,000 golf such courses as: Wolf Run Golf Club, influence of other ASGCA members. courses in America, plus another Zionsville, Indiana; Old Memorial, “I learn so much every time I hear a 16,000 worldwide.” Tampa, ; Chart Hills Golf member speak at the Annual Meeting As Smyers begins his term as Club, Kent, England; and redesigns, or elsewhere,” he says. “To sit back ASGCA President, he will focus including Isleworth, Orlando, and listen to architects like the late on ‘the evolution of the game’ and Florida. He has plans to redesign Old Jay Morrish, Lee Schmidt, Bruce its architecture. But to see where Memorial this summer. Charlton, Mike Hurdzan, Rees Jones Smyers is going, it helps to know Along the way he continued to play and so many others is a joy.” where he has been. the game he loves. As a teen, Smyers Smyers continued to play at a high It all changed for him at the 1969 watched hit golf balls at level, competing in a number of USGA U.S. Open at in Champions and saw a young Trevino championships. He was later asked Houston. Already a golfer for several play before the ‘Merry Mex’ joined to serve on what is now the USGA years, Smyers – a high school junior – the PGA Tour. In college, Smyers was Equipment Standards committee, caddied for at the event. a member of the which led to a six-year term on the “I stood on the practice range and golf team that won the 1973 NCAA USGA Executive Committee. listened to Miller and the other players Championship. The team included “It was the most influential learning talk about the ,” he says. and . experience I’ve had,” he says. “I “They talked about what a great His first 18-hole design, Wolf Run, brought a perspective of someone who course it was; that it could be attacked included input from a famous – was a designer and had played at a from all over and didn’t set up for one unpaid – consultant. fairly high level. And I got to see how player better than another. “Pete and Alice Dye were preparing these smart executives went through could play the low hook he played at Crooked Stick for the PGA the decision-making process; taking that time, and with his Championship, and Pete would give information, analyzing and discussing high fade had an equal chance. me hell or critique me for the work I before coming to a conclusion. The “I had never looked at a golf course was doing at Wolf Run,” Smyers laughs. goal of each decision isn’t to necessarily like that before, and those comments “They would invite me to play and as benefit one specific group, but all the stuck in my mind.” we talked I learned about the business. constituencies in the entire game.”

16 | By Design Steve Smyers, ASGCA, is currently working on the redesign of Old Memorial GC in Tampa, Florida

Smyers also noted how it “opened used to be cut at ¾”, and that moved my eyes tremendously” to watch lower and lower over time.” Kerry Haigh from the PGA set up As ASGCA president, Smyers will courses for the and PGA continue to strengthen ASGCA’s Championships, and Mike Davis for relationship with allied golf various USGA events. associations to spread the word of The game and industry continue architects as problem solvers ready to to evolve. Smyers says that has design and implement new plans. always been the case, and should be Smyers calls on architects to embraced. understand the game’s history and “Going back to 1900, the business traditions, while looking ahead. has never been ‘the way it was,’” “Some of the courses I designed he said. “It’s always changing. Our early in my career are modernizing thought process needs to evolve. for the next generation of players, The most successful and recognized with new sand or bunker liners, architects of past generations were improved irrigation and introduction very forward-thinking guys. of new turf grasses. The most “The founding members of ASGCA “Forward-thinking clubs will look to were leaders in the game because they reduce irrigation and turf maintenance, successful and adapted to the modern innovation which opens the door for the next of the game. At Pinehurst, when steel generation of architects, where there recognized shafted clubs were introduced, Donald are opportunities to reposition bunkers Ross redesigned the course to meet the and re-strategize golf holes. architects of past demands for generations to come.” “As architects, we need to go in and Changing “technology” means more build a more stimulating golf course generations were to Smyers than just equipment. He to inspire golfers to play 10 percent very notes players, instruction and course more golf each year. We still want to do forward- maintenance have all changed. something that gives the player a ‘wow’ thinking guys “Course maintenance has been moment. Give them that stimulating the biggest game changer,” he said. feeling when they stand over a shot, “Greens on a Donald Ross course whether they can achieve it or not.”• 17 CASE STUDY

Sewailo Golf Club | Toby Ingleton Honoring nature’s gifts When the Pascua Yaqui Tribe decided to build a golf course, they wanted it to work with the land and reflect their cultural beliefs

n the language of the Pascua Yaqui concept of a ‘desert oasis’-style course, Tribe of Arizona, ‘Sewailo’ means which features lakes, flowing streams, I‘flower world.’ The tribe’s belief waterfalls and lush landscaping. is that they emerged from Sewailo, However, the existing site was flat and before traveling through the desert to featureless, so a degree of engineering reach their present homeland. would be required to create the fall This journey was to be the needed for the stream system, and to inspiration for the design of a new golf give the holes shape and visual interest. course for tribal families and visitors “Like at Shadow Creek in Las Vegas, to the tribe’s Casino Del Sol resort in the approach involved sinking areas of Tucson, Arizona. They turned to fellow the course below existing grade and Native American and former PGA Tour raising others, in order to create the player Notah Begay III, who worked flowing creek system,” explains Butler. in collaboration with -based “To reflect the Pascua Yaqui journey, golf course architect Ty Butler, ASGCA, the course transitions from desert to to bring this vision to reality. oasis, while taking full advantage of The resort is one of the few in the the surrounding mountain views to Tucson market to earn the Forbes create an exciting and unique setting. Four Star and AAA Four Diamond The course finishes with a waterfall awards, so the golf experience would backdrop to the final green, signifying need to be of the highest quality to the Yaqui’s hope of returning to meet guests’ expectations – but also Sewailo one day.” runoff before it could spread to other to help transform the property to a The tribe has water rights that areas where flooding occurred. From destination, with golf becoming a enable them to service the stream these retention areas we created primary draw for visitors. system and provide the irrigation desert washes which run through the A key challenge for the designers source for the course. But the area golf course to carry the runoff in a would be to successfully incorporate also has to cope with a tremendous controlled manner to the neighboring water into the desert environment. amount of runoff/flooding during Black Wash. The washes added “Water is an integral part of the the monsoon season. The property another visual element and became Yaqui’s belief system and, for this is in the path of this runoff and the a key strategic element for the holes reason, the tribe wanted water to be designers saw an opportunity to that play along them.” a big part of the design. It also meant use the course to capture this water Begay and Butler worked closely the golfing experience would be like and direct it to the Black Wash area with Ken Alperstein of Pinnacle no other in the Tucson market,” says north of the course. “We constructed Design, who was responsible for Butler. He and Begay developed the a series of retention areas to capture landscaping of the course. The plant

18 | By Design A waterfall provides the backdrop to the final hole on the new course, which was designed to relect the Pascua Yaqui’s hope of returning to ‘Sewailo’ Images: Tom Breazeale Images: Tom

palette they selected helps to provide a matures and starts to fill in,” says Butler. new home to the University of Arizona seamless transition between the desert The completed -72 course Men’s and Women’s Golf Teams. and oasis environments. has a variety of strategic holes that Sewailo Golf Club has now The property had an abundance of provide a full range of shot values completed its first full year and the quality plant material, so a key element and aesthetics. Multiple tee areas Troon Golf-managed property is of construction was to salvage all this and generous fairways have been enjoying its early success. “They met material and transplant it back to the incorporated to increase playability. all their goals in terms of rounds and finished course. “We transplanted Highly crafted bunkering helps to reports are that everyone who plays over 20,000 native plants back to define the strategic options, as well the course has great things to say. the course, along with thousands of as visually enhancing the course. The Notah and I could not be happier with additional imported plants. Over the result is a course that is great fun the results and the Pascua Yaqui have next five-to-ten years, the course will to play, but can also challenge the a great course for their tribal families really transform and take on a different highest caliber of golfer. It hosted a to use, as well as for guests of the ambiance once the plant material U.S. Open qualifier in 2014 and is the resort to enjoy,” concludes Butler.

19 FEATURE

Water | Toby Ingleton

More or less

or almost 100 years, Wilmette Whether there is too much or too little Golf Club in Illinois has water, its proper management is critical F enjoyed substantial play. But drainage issues have increasingly to the ongoing success of golf. By Design plagued this great public venue. The north branch of the River considers two contrasting projects where often breaches its banks, leaving this flat golf course, with little stormwater design enhancements have delivered management capacity, indefensible. With a relatively modest budget, improvements in water management the club hired Martin Design, led by ASGCA Treasurer Greg Martin, to develop an improvement program. This would see the water

20 | By Design Improved overland and underground drainage at Wilmette Golf Club in Illinois is helping to keep the course in play after heavy rainfall

management infrastructure overhauled, quality of play, with golfer satisfaction expanded teeing areas, better located while also unifying and modernizing beginning to suffer as a result.” hazards, and reduced bunker square the features of the course. Martin expanded the site’s footages. Together the changes improve “Even following typical rainfall events, stormwater management capacity playability, provide more strategy and play would grind to a halt due to slow by improving both the overland reduce maintenance requirements. moving surface drainage and saturated and underground drainage systems. Mike Matchen, director of golf turf,” says Martin. “In addition to Greens were also reconstructed in at Wilmette, is delighted with the these water issues, complications for line with USGA recommendations. As results: “The Wilmette Park District maintenance, operations and golfer a result, water quality has improved could not have asked for anything enjoyment arose from disjointed and, with expanded wetlands, the more. The final result for our circulation, overgrown vegetation, natural habitat has increased. The investment is amazing. Not only and course elements that had been environmental benefit is matched by have we gone a long way to solving built in various decades. These factors an improvement in the quality of golf, our infrastructure issues, but have a contributed to limit the amount and with the program also incorporating brand new golf course in the process.

21 ASGCA Leadership Partners

Supporting Education in the Golf Course Industry ASGCA thanks the following companies for their continued support of golf course development and renovation – helping ASGCA members do their jobs better, for the good of the game.

Major Level Partners

Merit Level Partners FEATURE

Proposed turf reduction (inset) at the Roadrunner course at Hogan Park Golf Club in Midland, will reduce the amount of water required for irrigation

It is a golf course that the community “We created and executed a plan to play balls that come to rest on the will enjoy for generations to come.” reduce the amount of maintainable hardpan lie of a native area than the In Midland, Texas, the challenge turf by nearly 20 acres, soften much previous thick rough. comes from too little, rather than too of the most drastic contouring The solutions provided by Martin much, water. The city’s average rainfall on the course, and redesign the and Blume are just two of many is approximately 15 inches per year, course’s bunkers to allow them to projects where ASGCA members less than half of the national average. be maintained by hand. All of this have helped clubs deal effectively This has made it very difficult for was done to improve the playing and sustainably with water issues on David Byrd, superintendent of Hogan conditions of the course, while at the their courses. And ASGCA members Park Golf Club, to maintain a high same time making their golf course and staff regularly contribute to the quality playing surface, especially maintenance more efficient and industry’s thought leadership around given that the available water has a thereby stretching their maintenance water. For example, Executive Director very high salinity. budget,” explains Blume. “The areas Chad Ritterbusch recently addressed The Roadrunner course at Hogan where turf was eliminated were delegates at the USGA Annual Meeting, Park was originally designed in the turned back into the arid/desert type helping them to understand how the 1970s, with nine holes added in the of landscape that still allows players design of a golf course can positively late 90s, and has proved extremely to find and play shots. Instead of contribute to its use and management popular with the local population. But watering, fertilizing, and mowing of water. And Forrest Richardson, the impact of 50,000 rounds of play these rough areas, the maintenance ASGCA, represented the golf industry per year, combined with the limited staff simply smooth them out at a Western Governors Association availability of good quality water, has periodically.” Forum on ‘Drought in the West,’ led to a degradation of turf conditions. As a result, the club has been able highlighting golf’s proactivity with new The city contacted Houston-based to eliminate some of the course’s technologies and architects’ efforts to architect Jeff Blume, ASGCA, to ask sprinkler heads completely, while reduce water consumption. for his suggestions for an overhaul others have been turned off for the • of the of the course. He delivered a foreseeable future. This helps keep For more information on how ASGCA proposal that combined a reduced nuisance plant material away from members are improving the environment water requirement with improved the native areas. Blume adds that through the positive use of water, strategy, and measures to make the this turf reduction work also helps to download the Golf & Water flyer at two nines more complementary. speed play, as it is easier to find and www.asgca.org/free-publications

23 APPRECIATION Admired by all Jay Morrish, a Past President and Fellow of ASGCA, died on 2 March, 2015. Friends and colleagues throughout the golf industry have expressed their admiration for the man and his work

ay Morrish was a stalwart who was us worked together for years. Jay was admired by everyone,” says ASGCA Mister Outside and Bob was Mister JPresident Lee Schmidt. “His work Inside. They were a great combination. was outstanding, and he was funny Jay did such a wonderful job in the and smart. As an architect, he positively field. He was very creative, very impacted the world of golf course imaginative, and he loved the game of design, and as ASGCA President he golf – and that showed in his work. Jay advanced the organization. When Jay was just a tremendous guy and great spoke, people listened.” fun to be with! Morrish received a degree in “Jay left our organization near the landscape and turf management end of 1983, but before he did, he from Colorado State University, then put his thumbprint on a number soon joined the construction team of great golf courses, such as Glen on the Robert Trent Jones-designed Abbey and Shoal Creek. He has but tagged with humor, so everybody Spyglass Hill course in Pebble Beach, been a mainstay and a backbone of remembered. I’m just sorry I will not California. He continued to work the ASGCA, and a true champion hear them first hand anymore.” as construction superintendent on for those in the golf course design After ten years Morrish moved on to Jones’ courses until joining Desmond business. We will miss Jay greatly, as collaborate with PGA Tour player Tom Muirhead as a designer in 1967. will so many people – in and outside Weiskopf. Their 12-year partnership Morrish then went to work as a of our industry – whose lives were generated some two dozen high-profile designer with Jack Nicklaus, ASGCA touched by him.” courses, including Loch Lomond in Fellow in 1972. “I first had the chance “I’m very proud of my professional . “Jay Morrish was without a to work with Jay when I collaborated association with Jay,” says Bob Cupp, doubt one of the most talented and with Desmond Muirhead on Muirfield ASGCA Past President, “but even respected golf course architects of Village Golf Club in the early 1970s more my friendship with him over all time,” says ASGCA Past President and he was working with Desmond,” these many years. He was a grand Doug Carrick. “It is no accident that says Nicklaus. “When I started to friend and storyteller. His humor was two of golf’s most legendary players, design courses on my own, Jay and amazing. Jay could share the history Jack Nicklaus and , Bob Cupp joined me and the three of of a topic that was not only factual, wanted to work alongside Jay. He had

Golf course architecture is a very subjective field of endeavor, and that is good. The game of golf would be distressingly boring if all golf course architects embraced similar design philosophies. Long live diversity!” Jay Morrish, ASGCA Fellow

24 | By Design Morrish’s design work includes Loch Lomond in Scotland (above) and TPC Scottsdale in Arizona, both in collaboration with Tom Weiskopf a deep understanding and passion for the game of golf. He was a master at creating golf courses with tremendous variety and thought provoking strategies and his designs were always sympathetic to the natural landscape on which they sat. In addition to his “Jay was the experienced architect of communicating, traveling and doing incredible talent and vision, Jay was and I the rookie. Jay kindly became business,” Morrish said at the time. simply a great guy to be around. He a mentor to me. He was always there “Thankfully, ASGCA members were a was a great story teller with a brilliant to guide and mentor me through all strong group with great imagination sense of humor.” the situations that we as architects are and perseverance.” In the mid 1990s Morrish went confronted with. Retired ASGCA Executive Secretary completely on his own and designed “Jay during his career was responsible Paul Fullmer says: “Looking back at his many new golf courses including for the creation of many of most highly presidency, Jay was the right captain for Tehama for Clint Eastwood in Carmel, regarded and respected golf courses ASGCA during a tumultuous period. California; Stone Canyon, Tucson, that exist in the world today. He was a The world was changing and there Arizona and Pine Dunes, Frankston, great architect, a wonderful story teller, was great uncertainty. Jay provided the Texas. All of these were done with the a tremendous friend, and a fabulous senior leadership ASGCA needed. Jay assistance of his son, Carter Morrish. loving and caring husband and father.” was a man who knew how to excel in Jay became an ASGCA member in Morrish served as ASGCA President everything he did, whether it was golf 1989. “Jay and I were both accepted in 2002-03. Taking over shortly after course design or big-game hunting.” into the ASGCA in the same year,” the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 provided Morrish is survived by his wife, recalls ASGCA Vice President Steve a unique set of challenges. “The United Louise; children, Carter and Kim, son- Smyers. “We were classmates but more States was still in shock and we were all in-law, Brian Coder; and grandchildren, than that we were friends. exploring uncharted waters as to ways Megan and Spencer Coder.• 25 CLOSING THOUGHTS

Turf reduction | Toby Ingleton Less turf, more play? Water and cost savings are usually the drivers for turf reduction programs. But they are not the only benefits, says Toby Ingleton

ocal authorities have responded to propose wall-to-wall turf, even process from the identification of to the drought conditions where water is freely available. areas suitable for removal to the Lthroughout the South and And the golfing public’s taste is adjustments that may need to be West of the by offering following suit, evident from the made to the irrigation system. rebates for golf clubs that reduce the popularity of more traditional golfing Many turf reduction programs – amount of maintained turf on their experiences such as those available at such as the one referenced earlier courses. Less turf means less water the Bandon Dunes resort in Oregon and in this issue at the Roadrunner is required, and that alone can justify the overwhelmingly positive response course at Hogan Park in Midland, such projects. to the work of Bill Coore, ASGCA, and Texas – are seeing expanses of thick But even where rebates are not at the No. 2 course in rough replaced by natural waste available, clubs are finding that a Pinehurst, North Carolina, the host areas. It’s still a punishment for the reduction in turf can deliver cost course for last year’s U.S. Open and U.S. errant golfer, as the ball may find an savings in other areas – such as Women’s Open championships. awkward lie among native plants or power and maintenance – and a host As more natural-looking golf courses unraked bare ground. But it can be of additional benefits, including an get greater exposure, clubs may find much easier to find your ball and aesthetic that is better suited to modern their members and guests having a continue your round in this barren tastes, fewer lost balls and a faster pace greater appreciation of a less manicured landscape, or among woodchip or of play – all of which can contribute to style. And even if they don’t, they may pine straw, that it is in deep rough. increasing numbers of rounds. well find themselves getting greater For most regular golfers, the avoidance The trend towards a more natural, enjoyment from courses that don’t of lost balls can have a very positive rustic-looking golf course has been punish the golfer with thick rough. impact on the enjoyment of golf, and if progressing steadily over the past A golf course architect can help golfers are spending less time looking fifteen years or so. Often inspired by identify the most suitable turfgrass for balls, the general speed of play will an admiration of the work of Golden reduction program for any given increase too. Faster play equals more Age golf architects who did not course, which will be dependent capacity equals increased potential necessarily have the technology to on soil conditions, climate and a revenue for the club. maintain a lush golf course, today’s number of other factors. They can • designers are increasingly less likely then recommend a step-by-step

For more information on the benefits of turf reduction and how a golf course At Oakmont CC in Glendale, California, Schmidt-Curley’s turf reduction work also significantly architect can help, download the free flyer improved aesthetics at www.asgca.org/free-publications

26 | By Design SPONSORS

Issue 22 | Spring 2015 BY DESIGN Excellence in Golf Design from the American Society of Golf Course Architects A glimpse By Design would not be possible without the support of thepast of our sponsors, who have played a key role in the publication of this magazine.

Also: Sewailo Golf Club • Water management • Jay Morrish, ASGCA Fellow • Turf reduction

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