The Agenda for the next generation of Golf Course Architects ..... ???

[Carl Rogers]

Mr. Wall's thread got me thinking about this.  ... and some of Ms. Moser's posts as well.

As Tom D, C & C, DeVries, Hanse & others were re-invigoration some of the Golden Age virtues back into the field and re-acting against the RTJ sr & Dick Wilson & early JN work, they assigned themselves an overarching life long mission.

What will the next generation do?

What has been left undone?

[Tom_Doak]

Carl:

It is pretty difficult to try and predict the future.  If it was really predictable, someone would already be on to the next thing.

The one thing I would say that is a problem for all these young people, that they all have the same mentors.  Gil and Mike have had a hard time setting themselves apart because they are building in a very similar style to Bill and me, but we got there first, so they have been third and fourth in line the past few years -- they are just fortunate (as am I) that Bill and Ben don't want to do ten projects a year, and neither do I.  It might be different for Angela, as she will be working in Europe, where there isn't anyone who trained under me or Bill.

But if Jordan Wall (or any other 21-year-old reading this thread) decides to practice architecture and becomes a minimalist, he will be in line behind about 15 others who have started along that road with me, in the past 10 years.  So, it would probably behoove him to find a new twist on it, or a new style altogether.

[Carl Rogers]

But Tom, something tells me that going forward using less water with fewer heads, some amount of turfgrass innovation, making the course more female, beginner and youngster friendly, fewer bunkers, 6 hole loops and so on ...  represents just minor marketplace adjustments, nothing real big.

[John McCarthy]

"It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future."  Yogi Berra.  

I stole this from Nick Taleb.  

Things that seem important now will probably seem less important in the future and vice versa.  Predictions are always a mug's game.

[Brett_Morrissy]

Carl,
adding to the complexity of what's in store for/& from the next generation, is the current generation will be around for many years to come, along with fewer projects in the short term, won't it mean that the 'next generation' will struggle to get a foot hold? ...the current generation will not only work for a long time, but cannot help but mentor those that have began their careers working for them. Perhaps rebellion will be the source of a new direction, driven by owners and linked with designers that are potentially 'in-tune' with a new direction? I suppose no one knows, perhaps that is the most interesting aspect?

Agenda Items:
"Real" Sustainabilty - not just tokenism marketing
which would include frugal approach to water use, and hence turf.

Cost model will probably change for many projects - how the GCA's will influence this could be very important.

surely there will be less waterfalls, less massive clubhouses, and meaner and leaner turf - for me the biggest question is will the general punters accept less bright green, lush conditions - I cannot see the current generation of club golfers (i.e. regular weekly, monthly golfers) accepting this, perhaps the catalyst for change will be Augusta National.