The American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA) welcomed Tom Watson as a new Associate Member to its ranks at the group’s recent 65th Annual Meeting in Denver.

Watson’s election makes him one of more than 175 ASGCA members, by far the largest professional society of golf course architects in the world.

Watson is the owner of Tom Watson Design in Westwood, Kan. His list of representative courses includes Tom Watson Golf Club, Miyazaki-city, Japan; Cassique, Kiawah Island, S.C.; The National Golf Club of Kansas City, Parkville, Mo; Reunion Golf Club, Independence Course,  Kissimmee, Fla.; and Tesoro, Port St. Lucie, Fla.

Candidates for Associate Membership in ASGCA complete a rigorous, multi-phase application process that includes peer review of four completed courses, discussions with project owners and a personal interview to assess the candidate’s professional capabilities. This process typically takes two years for an applicant to complete.