2017 Design Excellence Recognition Program honorees announced by ASGCA

Below are excerpts from an article that originally appeared in ASGCA.org.

The sixth annual American Society of Golf Course Architects Design Excellence Recognition Program honorees have been named. Projects from 11 courses have been cited for their work with ASGCA members in addressing unique design challenges.

Since its creation, the Design Excellence Recognition Program has highlighted the innovation and problem-solving skills required of today’s golf course designs, from new 18-hole layouts to practice facilities and renovations of various sizes.

The 2017 nominations were reviewed by a panel of golf industry leaders, including representatives of the Club Managers Association of America, Golf Course Builders Association of America and Golf Course Superintendents Association of America.

Hunt Valley Country Club, Phoenix, Maryland / Jason Straka, ASGCA, and Dana Fry, ASGCA
This private club experienced chronic member dissatisfaction, primarily due to deteriorating sand bunkers, poor drainage and inferior practice facilities. Bunkers continually washed and didn’t drain, and prime playing areas were perpetually wet, leading to numerous problems including significant disease pressure and compaction. All needed addressing, while staying within a pre-determined budget. For the cost of a typical bunker renovation, course drainage was improved by directing large amounts of surface water away from prime playing areas when designing new bunkers. Also, the main practice area was completely redesigned, lengthening the tee range complex by 100%

ASGCA Background

Founded in 1946 by Donald Ross, Robert Trent Jones and 12 other leading architects, the American Society of Golf Course Architects is a non-profit organization comprised of experienced golf course designers located throughout the United States and Canada. Members have completed a rigorous two-year long application process that includes the peer review of four representative golf courses. ASGCA members are experienced golf course architects, able to counsel in all aspects of golf course design and remodeling and comprise many of the great talents throughout the golf industry.

For more information about ASGCA, including a current list of members, log on to the ASGCA website at http://www.asgca.org or call (262) 786-5960