Rick Baril, ASGCA

Rick Baril, ASGCA discusses the golf industry’s “brown” initiative and shares his promotion strategy of “golf is 2 percent green.” Baril is a senior partner and architect for the firm of von Hagge, Smelek, & Baril.

Brown should be beautiful…

There is certainly a need to change golfer’s expectations from picture-perfect golf courses to a more ecologically responsible standard. Intuitively, though, it seems peculiar for the golf industry to promote a “brown” initiative while the rest of the world seems focused on “going green.” And golfers will not enthusiastically embrace “brown and scruffy” courses when the golf industry has programmed golfers in such a way that they expect perfect conditions on every course. Sadly, the golfing public has not been well informed that such lavish and extravagant courses are both financially and environmentally unsustainable.

Hole 4, Stensballegaard Golf Club, Denmark

Architects should take the lead…

After traveling throughout Europe and speaking with clients and industry leaders, I found that significant “sustainability” awareness already exists, though there is a hesitancy to assume a leadership role on the topic. I also discovered a surprising common expectation: golf course architects—by virtue of our prominence in the industry—should assume this leading role to advance sustainability. I was told that architects have the ability and a platform and should play a vital role in the sustainability initiative.

Professionals should follow suit…

At the same time, golf courses owners and tournament sponsors have the ability to dictate that tournament venues are not altered but are presented in a conventional fashion. Professionals would then play the same golf courses the public plays, rather than perfectly groomed (and unsustainable) courses. Presenting more sustainable course conditions would bring challenge and unpredictability back into the game.

Hole 2, Lyngbygaard Golf Club, Denmark

Golfers should join the discussion…

As the message of sustainability is discussed, I think it’s important to note that golfers fixate on putting greens and their condition. Conveniently and notably, though, putting greens occupy less than 2 percent of the surface area on a typical golf course. By using this information to our advantage, we can engage golfers in a cooperative manner, concentrating on their priority, the greens. “Golf, less than 2 percent green!” This catchy and memorable phrase is truthful, timely, and literally speaks of the “green” initiative. By discussing what’s important to the golfer, golfers themselves can become cooperative members in the sustainability dialogue.

To read more Member Spotlights, please visit here.