Pascuzzo tackles technology, affordability issues

Golf Course News, Dec 2001 by Pascuzzo, Damian

EL DORADO HILLS, Calif. -The American Society of Golf Course Architects has taken a stand this year, issuing position papers on golf club and ball technology and affordable golf GolfCourse News recently caught up with ASGCA president Damian Pascuzzo to discuss how these two interrelated issues are impacting the game of golf.

Golf Course News: Why has theASGCA tackled these weighty issues this year?

Damian Pascuzzo: When I became president I sat down with my next two successors, Jay Morrish and Clyde Johnston, and came up with an agenda. We prioritized them and narrowed it down to the impact of golf club and ball technology on golf course design and the need for affordable golf. This allows the association to focus its efforts for the next three years.

GCN: Why is golf club and ball technology at the top of your list?

Pascuzzo: We don't make the rules and we don't make the equipment, but we certainly see the ramifications of the clubs and balls on today's golf courses. We can also see what it is going to do to tomorrow's golf courses if some checks are not put in place.

We are seeing a direct linkage between the ball flying farther and the increased acreage required to contain the ball not only in length but also in width. When the ball is hit badly it is now going farther left and right. As a result, the corridors that we create for golf have to get wider and that requires more acres which means that development and maintenance costs increase.

GCN: Is the art of the long iron dead?

Pascuzzo: I wonder: are we really seeing shot-making at its highest level today in professional golf? How do you design a par-4 where a pro has to play a driver, long iron? Part of the skill of the game is certainly gone.

GCN: What is the best solution to the problem?

Pascuzzo: Jack Nicklaus has talked about the idea of a tournament ball. As an organization I don't think we would support that. We don't want to see a stratification of the game because one of the cool things about golf is the level playing field. We don't care if something is done to limit the clubs or the balls. Our point is that something needs to be done. We are bearing the brunt of this and we need to get people talking about this issue.

GCN: How does technology impact affordability?

Pascuzzo: Cost is the other part of the equation. We have had flat participation rates for the last four years and in the meantime the equipment is getting more expensive, the green fees are getting more expensive and it is taking longer to play. There are a lot of people competing for our recreation dollars and potential golfers and some exist ing golfers are making other choices. There is a direct connection between technology and the lack of affordable golf.

GCN: Where is the ASGCA going with its affordable golf initiative?

Pascuzzo: We are actually calling it practical golf. We are in the process of developing a book that talks about practical golf meaning what is practical for your budget and for the site. In some cases this might be a par-3 course, a six-hole layout, or an executive track. The book will have case studies on practical golf and should be ready by the GCSAA show in Orlando.

This is a personal issue for me because I grew up in Los Angeles playing these small par-3 courses on 30 acres that had push up greens. It cost $1.50 to play and the facilities are still around. I went back last year and it costs $5 to play nine holes and they do 50,000 rounds a year.

GCN: Who are you trying to reach with this message?

Pascuzzo: We feel that there are a lot of people out there in the public sector, park and recreation directors, public works directors, that may have 20 or 50 acres that they could build a golf facility on. Many don't think they could have golf because there is not room for 18 holes, but we want to make them aware that there are alternatives.

If we can educate the public sector and get some of these courses in the ground then all of a sudden you have and inexpensive place for people to learn the game. We don't have enough entry level facilities. This might not make sense for the private sector, but it makes sense for park and rec. departments because they can build a par-3 course with push up greens for $300,000 and break even.

If we don't get more people into the game and get them to a comfort level to play 18-hole, resort courses then the game will continue to suffer.