ASGCA members may be recognized for their Ross Tartan jackets, but the 67-year-old organization is about far more. Cybergolf.com looked at the positive impact ASGCA and its members are making on the game (and the industry) in North America and around the world.
With the help of ASCGA President Rick Robbins, ASGCA Past President Roger Rulewich and Bob Moore, ASGCA, the website paints an impressive picture of the association and the members’ commitment to supporting each other. They are continuing the legacy of Donald Ross and his fellow ASGCA-founding members, while continuing to set a standard of professional excellence in design that is recognized as the standard in the industry.
The article notes, “Over the past several years, the 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 natural habitats.
“Environmental considerations and water usage remain top talking points within an organization that is very much proactive in the golf industry. For example, Robbins will have made speeches or attended industry meetings on 18 different occasions before his term expires at the end of May.”
Robbins said, “ASGCA maintains a stature in the industry by having a certain amount of members who practice, and we account for the substantial number of golf courses being built today. We want to do everything we can do as an organization to strengthen education and help our members move forward, and be viewed by the people who want new golf courses to say, ‘I need an ASGCA member.'”
Moore discussed the value of members gathering each year for the ASGCA Annual Meeting.
“We also make sure our perspective within the golf industry on the game is realized, that they understand what we’re trying to accomplish and where we’re coming from,” Moore said. “Over the course of the last couple of decades, we have dealt with the environmental aspects of golf and golf’s image within the environment…And turning the attention of the industry to being more environmentally sound and more environmentally friendly. We’re also concerned about such items as the golf ball and what we can do about advocating limiting the length and flight so golf courses don’t continue to have to be enlarged in order to be relevant.”