We've missed the boat !

[T_MacWood]

I spoke to them a few months ago, the USGA is interested in both digitizing their collection and becoming a resource for architetural plans and materials....not only past architects, but also modern era architects (going forward). They appreciate that a very high percentage of researchers that use their library are focused on the history of golf architecture.

If I'm not mistaken Dr. Hurdzan allowed the USGA to make digital copies of his Flynn material. I know the Tufts archives would like to digitize their collections...perhaps the USGA could assist them. From what I understand there is some original material on Macdonald & Raynor....that stuff should probably be recorded as well. Of course the hundreds of clubs around the country (or the world for that matter) that have historic documents...that might take some time but, the nice things about digitial copies, the originals stay with their owners.

The USGA has the deepest pockets and the infrastructure to carry out the task...I just hope they make access to the collection easy and inexpensive.

[TEPaul]

Bob:

I certainly do agree that the USGA would be the ideal and the most natural source for researching golf architecture. The key is to get them to do it. The USGA is always looking for appropriate services and it probably wouldn't take all that much to convince them to do this if they thought there'd be a real need for it. As you say, most all clubs do know about the USGA. The USGA, though, would have to do some marketing to make most clubs aware that they did offer such a service--probably something along the lines of their exposure with their Green Section but for architectural restoration or preservation instead of agronomy. I'm just wondering, though, if the USGA might not view such an endeavor as an unnecessary incursion into an area for golf course architects!

I'd think this kind of thing could only be a research only arm or service and certainly not something that could get into recommending architects, obviously.

I have spoken to the USGA's Museum section on this in the past and this is something they'd probably like to do---the thing now is to get the board to give them the man-power, funding and structure to do it. I know David Normoyle and probably his boss too, Rand Jerris, would probably like to get into this type of thing.

I think I'll call them again about it and maybe put in a call to those I know on the board too just to see what they'll say.

[TEPaul]

"If I'm not mistaken Dr. Hurdzan allowed the USGA to make digital copies of his Flynn material."

Michael Hurzdan did make that permission available.

[BCrosby]

TEP -

Yes, the tricky part will be not getting the USGA into the business of recommending architects. You can be sure they will be asked. I'm not sure how they should handle it other than responding that they are not able to make recommendations or vouch for anyone's work.

I hope they begin to dedicate some resources to this. It might not involve much more than hiring a someone with experience in architectural research to man a phone that clubs could call on for help. It would be a very good thing for all sorts of reasons.

Bob