Armchair Architect III : The game's most popular design contest has returned

Golf Digest, August, 2000 by Ron Whitten

Dust off that drafting board and sharpen your creativity. The Armchair Archtect contest is back, co-sponsored by Golf Digest and the American Society of Golf Course Architects. It has been nine years since Armchair Architect II and a full 13 years since our original contest drew 22,000 entries. As sequels go, this one falls somewhere between "Star Wars" and "Mission: Impossible."

The rules: The challenge is to design a three-hole addition to a fictitious golf course. It could be a par 3, par 4 and par 5. Or three par 4s. Two 4s and a 3. Two 3s and a 5. The choice is yours. As before, golf architects will do the judging. You can submit your entry in any form. Sketch right on the blank topo map. Fashion a clay model. Or generate graphics by computer. Entries will be judged on originality, creativity, playability and suitability to the terrain. Entry fee is $25. Our third Armchair Architect contest serves as a charitable fund-raiser, with all proceeds going to the non-profit ASGCA Foundation for funding projects on accessible, affordable golf. You may enter as many times as you wish, but each entry must be accompanied by a separate entry fee. (For complete rules, see accompanying page.)

The prize: The grand prize is an all-expense-paid trip to the ASGCA's annual meeting in May 2001 in Columbus, Ohio. You'll attend discussions and dinners with such ASGCA members as Jack Nicklaus, Pete Dye, Tom Fazio, Robert Trent Jones Jr., Rees Jones and Mark McCumber. You'll tee it up with architects on three private courses ranked among Golf Digest's 100 Greatest. You'll have the opportunity to explore the world-class museum in the offices of Hurdzan/Fry golf architects and the Jack Nicklaus museum at Ohio State, which is scheduled to be in operation next spring.

Even if you don't win, Armchair Architect III could be the start of something big. Among the contestants in our 1987 contest, several have gone on to operate their own golf design firms, including John Fought, Gil Hanse, David Dale, Neal Meagher, Ross Forbes, Neil Haworth, Matt Eccles and Russell Talley. Others, like John Harvey, Charlie Arrington, Victor Nelheibel and Steven McFarlane, are associates of some of the biggest names in golf architecture. They all started out as armchair architects. Here's your chance.

RULES

[1] To be eligible for a prize, you must be 18 years old by Dec. 31, 2000, and a resident of the U.S. or Canada (excluding Quebec). Employees and members of their immediate families and households of sponsors and their respective subsidiaries, affiliates and advertising and promotion agencies are not eligible.

[2] All entries must be your original work. By submitting your entry you automatically grant that your name, likeness and/or entry may be displayed or published by the American Society of Golf Course Architects or by Golf Digest in any context without compensation to you.

[3] All entries become the property of the American Society of Golf Course Architects and will not be returned. Entries must be received by Dec. 1, 2000. The winners will be notified by mail not later than March 1, 2001.

[4] Send your design along with entry form to: ASGCA Armchair Architect Contest, 1270 Old Henderson Rd., Columbus, Ohio, 43220. Entry fee of $25 must be paid by check payable to ASGCA Foundation. You may enter as many times as you wish, but each entry must be mailed separately and accompanied by the entry fee and entry form. Sponsors will not be responsible for lost, late, misdirected, mutilated or otherwise undeliverable mail.

[5] Make sure that your name, address, telephone number and e-mail appear on all materials submitted.

[6] The judges' decision is final. All local, state and federal taxes on the value of the prize are the responsibility of the winner. This contest is void where prohibited by law, including in Maryland, North Dakota and Vermont. All federal, state and local laws apply.

[7] Each winner will be required to execute a declaration of eligibility that the winner has complied with all the rules and that the winner releases the sponsors of all liability for damage or personal injury in connection with the prize. The declaration must be returned within 21 days of notification or an alternate winner will be selected.

[8] A list of major prize winners will be available after May 1, 2001 and until June 1, 2001, by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to: ASGCA Armchair Architect Contest, 1270 Old Henderson Road, Columbus, Ohio 43220.

ENTRY FORM

Name

Address

City, State, Zip

Occupation                             Golf handicap:

Telephone number

Day                                    Evening

Date of birth                          E-mail:

An entry fee of $25 (U.S.) dollars must accompany entry form.

MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: ASGCA Foundation

SEND ENTRIES TO: ASGCA Armchair Architect Contest 1270 Old Henderson Road Columbus, Ohio 43220

RELATED ARTICLE: An opportunity to design : ANYTHING YOU WANT

Mr. Seymour Links, the kindly but eccentric owner of the local golf course, has donated a portion of his existing golf course property to accommodate a youth sports center. The new sports center will require the elimination of three of the existing 18 holes. These three holes must be replaced on 26.3 acres of property adjacent to the existing course. The three holes lost represent a par of 12. Although the original design played to a par of 72, Seymour would be happy with a new layout of either par 71 or par 72. Therefore, Mr. Links would accept the three new holes at a par totaling 11 or 12. Seymour says, "Anything goes, as long as they are exciting, unique, novel and fun to play." So Seymour wants to see everything in the way of interesting concepts. What can you dream up?