Rick Robbins, ASGCA

Rick Robbins, ASGCA says that today's golf course architects have broadened their service offerings, and this is benefitting clients in many ways. An ASGCA member since 2000, Robbins owns Robbins & Associates International, Inc., with offices in Cary, North Carolina, and Beijing, China.

More than bunkers...

Today's golf course architects do much more than decide where to place bunkers and greens on a golf course. Routing a golf course, making the most of the provided terrain and placing greens, tees, and hazards is important, of course, but because golf course development is so sophisticated these days, ASGCA members have to do much more. We help clients throughout the entire development process, from negotiating the trials of permits, approvals, financing requirements, zoning and development regulations to the importance of designing the golf course in concert with the project's larger land planning goals.

Aerial View Rendering for Green Lake Resort in Duijiangyan, China

Beneficial to clients...

I know my clients, and those of other ASGCA members, appreciate the fact that we don't deal simply with the course itself, because clients don't have to leave the remaining project elements to "the other guys." Golf course architects are great sources of knowledge and can really be useful information suppliers for clients navigating all of the aspects involved in designing and constructing their golf courses. We know what things cost, where to save money (and not to skimp), and how long things can take.

A particular example from my firm stems from our ability to do the entire master planning layout along with the golf course design. Developers can come to one office and see both the golf course routing and the number of lots and development areas she or he has to sell. This lets clients avoid the task of trading plans back and forth among consultants, and can help expedite the planning process.

Master Plan for Green Lake Resort in Duijiangyan, China

It's who you know...

If a golf course architect can't provide a service to a client, he or she can help in other ways. Often, golf course architects have associations with other firms that offer necessary services to developers. Being associated with groups who do engineering, environmental assessments, clubhouse architecture, and other consultant items is appreciated by most developers and golf course decision makers.

Broadening still further...

ASGCA members have been broadening their services to clients for many years but this current difficult period in the economic cycle has encouraged golf course architects to do even more to be of service to their clients. This includes helping courses set up for championships, creating master plans for improvements, renovating to save water, and advising on the operational and financial aspects of golf course development and renovation. In many of these cases, ASGCA has provided opportunities for its members to learn about everything from water management to understanding more about what makes golf course developments work financially.

To read more Member Spotlights, please visit here.