20 OUTREACH In late 2021, the American Society of Golf Course Architects identified the need to better engage and connect with its members, potential members, and the industry at large. While the COVID pandemic highlighted the potential to connect virtually, it also showed that nothing beats in-person interaction. With this in mind, the idea of an ASGCA Director of Outreach was conceived. In life, timing is sometimes everything. The position was posted just as I was considering retirement and my enthusiasm for the current market, dominated by ‘practical renovations’ (long-term master plans, infrastructure improvements and sand bunker reductions), was waning slightly. This position offered both change and continuity, as I have been active in various ASGCA projects during my 40 years as a member. I accepted the position, believing both in the value of ASGCA as a professional society, and that after 44 years in golf course architecture, my best career finale would be to use my design experience to aid the future of the profession. ASGCA will go beyond simply engaging and connecting people in the profession and related fields, by collaborating on various initiatives and projects, believing we are better working together. Internally, we will recommit to our missions of fostering professionalism and fellowship among golf course architects, encouraging knowledge sharing, and continuing to provide education targeted specifically at golf course architects and design issues. These will include formal seminars at our regular meetings, structured but informal discussions, special events like our recent trip to Sand Hills, webinars and Zoom calls, and new architecture toolkits that members can find on our website. The first will focus on design requirements related to the Americans with Disabilities Act. My initial focus was to contact members, and others in the industry, with a simple question: How can the ASGCA be better, and better serve them? From these conversations, I have already heard several great ideas to create more tangible value from ASGCA. Another aspect of my role will be to stress the value of good golf course architecture both within the industry and to the golfing public at large. While there are Jeff Brauer provides insight into his plans for his new role as Director of Outreach for the ASGCA. Reaching out Jef frey D. Brauer Jeff Brauer is the first ASGCA Director of Outreach. He assumed the role at the start of 2022 following a 44-year career as a golf course architect, which saw him create over 50 of his own designs and oversee 80-plus renovation projects.
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