2010 World Forum of Golf Architects

My trip last week took me across the pond to the home of golf, St. Andrews.
The event was the World Forum of Golf Architects, consisting of architects from all over the world and industry partners like Tee-2-Green. The discussions focused on golf course sustainability in design, renovation, and the future of golf. The hot topics were Water (efficient irrigation, salt water, grey water, brackish water and water harvesting), Naturalization (using fewer acres of high maintained turf in the rough),Turgrass Science (selecting the right turfgrass for the course), Bunkers (reducing the amount), and other related topics. Another topic of discussion was the idea of building shorter courses for players of all ages, handicaps, and abilities to allow everyone to play. Providing courses that can be played in less than 4 hours with limited hazards could be appealing to more than just the high handicappers with the limited recreation time most people have these days.

As a former superintendent and golf course manager, it was great to see them talking
about topics that affect us on a daily basis as well as our livelihood. With budgets becoming tighter, we need to look at the best use of our courses and how to draw more players into the game.

“If you watch a game, it’s fun. If you play, it’s recreation. If you work at it, it’s golf.”
-Bob Hope