November 2022 Ohio Golf Journal

clients, including Nick Faldo, Mark O’Meara, Colin Montgomerie, Bernhard Langer and Annika Sorenstam. His “least disturbance” design philosophy embodies a sustainable, pro-active environmental approach to the sites that he encounters. “I am a minimalist when it comes to golf course architecture, letting the site do the talking asmuch as possible. I love finding that least disturbance routing on a property that is well-suited for golf, letting the unique natural features of the site help defend par. That’s what the Golden Age architects did so well. It is such an important part of the design process, and a big reason their designs stand the test of time.” Stenson intends to make sustainability the central focus of his presidency. “Sustainability – environmental, economic and social – is at the core of advances in golf course design in recent years and is essential to the future of the game. We continue to move away from the wall-to-wall irrigated turf monoculture that requires massive amounts of water and chemicals. Minimalist design concepts and the creation of diverse landscapes and habitats using native plant materials, together with significant advances in agronomy and irrigation, will allow golf courses to thrive into the climate-challenged future, providing valuable green recreational ‘lungs’ for the planet. Look for ASGCA members and our affiliated partners to generate even more creative measures in sustainable design and maintenance going forward.” Stenson, who’s tenure runs through 2023, succeeds Jason Straka, another Ohio native, as President of ASGCA. Former Stenson designs include, Grandview, O’Meara Course, in Huntsville, Ontario, The Rock (Faldo), in Minett, Ontario, Tuhaye Ranch (O’Meara), in Park City, Utah; Montgomerie Links, in Vietnam; and Ile Aux Cerfs (Langer), on the isle of Mauritius.

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