LATEST NEWS

ASGCA reveals Design Excellence Recognition Program honourees

  • Nemu2

    The new course at Lebovic Golf Club in Aurora, Canada, designed by Doug Carrick

  • Nemu2

    Jason Straka and Dana Fry have removed 30 acres of turf and naturalised 40 acres at Los Robles Greens

  • Nemu2

    Forrest Richardson has rebuilt the Mountain Shadows course to allow for a new resort and residential development

  • Nemu2

    Hurdzan/Fry Environmental Golf Course Design led a major renovation of the Heron Course at the Oaks Club in Florida

  • Nemu2

    Greg Martin has overseen the creation of 13 new greens and tees for 12 holes at Wilmette Golf Club in Illinois

Sean Dudley
By Sean Dudley

This year’s list of golf course architects and projects honoured by the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA) as part of its Design Excellence Recognition Program has been revealed.

The association’s Design Excellence Recognition Program highlights innovative approaches to modern golf design and examples of exceptional problem-solving skills. The program covers everything from 18-hole layouts to practice facilities and renovation work.

The 2016 list of honourees has been selected by a panel of golf industry leaders, which included representatives from the Club Managers Association of America and Golf Course Builders Association of America.

The courses included on the 2016 list are:

• Arlington Lakes Golf Club, Arlington Heights, Illinois – Mike Benkusky, ASGCA

• Atlantic Dunes, The Sea Pines Resort, Hilton Head, South Carolina – Scot Sherman, ASGCA

• Ken Lanning Golf Center, Jefferson City, Missouri – Todd Clark, ASGCA

• Lebovic Golf Club, Aurora, Ontario, Canada – Doug Carrick, ASGCA

• Los Robles Greens Golf Course, Thousand Oaks, California – Jason Straka, ASGCA and Dana Fry, ASGCA

• Mountain Shadows Resort Short Course, Paradise Valley, Arizona – Forrest Richardson, ASGCA

• NCR Country Club, Kettering, Ohio – Dr. Mike Hurdzan, ASGCA Fellow

• The Oaks Club – Heron Course, Osprey, Florida – Hurdzan/Fry Environmental Golf Design

• Pelican’s Nest Golf Club, Bonita Springs, Florida – Jan Bel Jan, ASGCA

• University of Southern Mississippi Short Game Facility, Hattiesburg – Nathan Crace, ASGCA

• Wilmette Golf Club, Wilmette, Illinois – Greg Martin, ASGCA

“Congratulations to these tremendous golf facilities, as well as the architects who provided their talent and expertise,” said John Sanford, vice president of the ASGCA. “Once again this year, the projects highlighted by the Design Excellence Recognition Program show the positive impact a well-designed facility has for golfers and their community.”

More details on each project will feature in upcoming editions of By Design.

Fall 2025 issue of ASGCA’s By Design magazine is out now
Magazine, News | Wed 10 Sep, 2025

Fall 2025 issue of ASGCA’s By Design magazine is out now

New issue covers desert golf course design, David Fay’s career and the Fazio renovation at Interlachen in Florida

The July 2025 issue of Golf Course Architecture is out now!
Magazine, News | Thu 10 Jul, 2025

The July 2025 issue of Golf Course Architecture is out now!

We visit Trump Aberdeen, Comporta and Baltusrol, speak with Rees Jones, and ask if anyone likes a long par three

FEATURE ARTICLES

Rock Golf: Finnish flourish
Jacob Sjöman
On site | Adam Lawrence

Rock Golf: Finnish flourish

A new nine-hole course just outside Helsinki, Finland, trumpets itself as an attempt to be the world’s best par-three layout. Adam Lawrence visits to find out more

Rees Jones: One big adventure
Rees jones Inc
Interview | Adam Lawrence

Rees Jones: One big adventure

From working for his father, to going his own way and building a reputation as a preparer of tournament courses, Rees Jones's life has been an adventure. He spoke to Adam Lawrence about past, present and future

Honouring a historic gem
Kansas City Parks & Recreation
Opinion | Ron Whitten

Honouring a historic gem

Ron Whitten discusses the work to recapture AW Tillinghast’s original vision for Swope Memorial in Kansas City

Not for a long shot?
USGA/Fred Vuich
Feature | Adam Lawrence

Not for a long shot?

Why are players, who can comfortably reach a 600-yard ‘par five’ in two, so hostile to long one-shotters? Adam Lawrence investigates

La Moye: A new direction
Mackenzie & Ebert
Report | Richard Humphreys

La Moye: A new direction

Jersey club takes first step to balance nines, add variety and make the most of its duneland site

Ryder Cup 2025: Five holes to look out for at Bethpage Black

Michael Reaves/PGA of America

Opinion | Richard Humphreys

Ryder Cup 2025: Five holes to look out for at Bethpage Black

GCA picks out holes that could prove critical in this year’s contest

Moon Palace: New moon in the Dominican Republic
Wallgrow International
Report | Richard Humphreys

Moon Palace: New moon in the Dominican Republic

Greg Norman’s firm has designed an 18-hole course for a luxury resort in Punta Cana

Farm Neck: Reestablishing a sand-and-scrub identity
Patrick Koenig
Interview | Hal Phillips

Farm Neck: Reestablishing a sand-and-scrub identity

Hal Phillips speaks with golf course architect Mark Mungeam about creating more cohesion between the nines at the Martha’s Vineyard club

Wichita CC: Set for the future
Tripp Davis
Report | Richard Humphreys

Wichita CC: Set for the future

Tripp Davis oversees renewal of infrastructure and subtle design changes to Bill Diddel layout

Ryder Cup 2025: An interview with Bethpage’s director of agronomy
Heritage Landscape Supply Group
Interview | Richard Humphreys

Ryder Cup 2025: An interview with Bethpage’s director of agronomy

With the US-Europe contest fast approaching, GCA speaks with Andrew Wilson about how the Black course is well set to host “golf’s biggest tournament”

Bethpage Black: Getting ready for the Ryder Cup
PGA of America/Gary W. Kellner
Interview | Richard Humphreys

Bethpage Black: Getting ready for the Ryder Cup

Rees Jones speaks to GCA about his work at the New York course and preparations for golf’s biggest contest

Gopher Watch Competition – October 2025
Gopher Watch, News | Fri 17 Oct, 2025

Gopher Watch Competition – October 2025

Which course has Sandy the gopher visited this month?

MOST POPULAR

FEATURED BUSINESSES