[Ian Andrew]

ASGCA Past President and Winner of ASGCA Distinguished Service Award
Was Design Partner to Arnold Palmer for 35 Years

Ed Seay, a past president of the American Society of Golf Course Architects, died August 14, 2007 at his home in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., after a long battle with cancer and related health problems.  He was 69.

Born in Dade City, Fla., Seay served as ASGCA president in 1976-1977 and was given the ASGCA Distinguished Service Award during the organization of golf course architects’ 2006 Annual Meeting. During a career that spanned five decades, he was responsible for nearly 300 new golf courses and more than two dozen golf course renovations, including Bay Hill Club. Most of his designs were created in partnership with golf legend and ASGCA Fellow Arnold Palmer, with whom Seay began working in 1972 and formed Palmer Course Design Company in 1979. Designing a golf course in Communist China in 1981, Seay was among the first American golf course architects to work outside the United States.

Among Seay’s representative golf courses are Sawgrass C.C., Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.; The Tradition G.C., LaQuinta, Calif.; The K Club, Straffan, Ireland; Four Seasons Resort at Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica; Kapalua Village Course, Maui, Hawaii; Aviara, Carlsbad, Calif.; Old Tabby Links, Spring Island, S.C.; Tralee C.C., Tralee, Ireland; and Adios G.C. in Coconut Creek, Fla.

“ASGCA is saddened with the loss of Ed,” said President Steve Forrest, ASGCA.  “He was one of a kind as a person and did so much for the profession of golf course architecture.  For 40 years, he was one of ASGCA’s great leaders and contributed greatly to the growth and recognition of ASGCA.  He will be missed.”  
A graduate of the University of Florida and a retired Commissioned Officer of the United States Marine Corps, Seay began his work in golf course architecture in 1964 near Pinehurst, N.C., where he worked for ASGCA Past President, Ellis Maples, a noted golf course architect Seay called one of the finest golf course architects ever knew.

Seay is survived by his wife, Lynn, and adult children Mason Seay and Tracy Raymond.




A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, August 18, at 10 a.m. at Christ Episcopal Church in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. It will be followed by a reception at the Ponte Vedra Inn and Club at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, ASGCA members may make donations to the ASGCA Foundation, 125 N. Executive Dr., Suite 106, Brookfield, WI 53005. Others making donations are encouraged to donate to the Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation, P.O. Box 37, Mountain Lakes, NJ 07046.

More information on Mr. Seay’s career, as well as video clips of him discussing his work, is available at the ASGCA “Architects Gallery” on the internet. Simply visit www.asgca.org and click on “Inside ASGCA” then “Architects Gallery.”

Founded in 1946 by 14 leading architects, including Donald Ross and Robert Trent Jones, Sr., the American Society of Golf Course Architects is a non-profit organization comprised of 182 golf course designers located throughout the United States and Canada. Members are actively involved in the design of new courses, the renovation of existing layouts and issues affecting the future of the game.

[Ian Andrew]

At a time when I found myself questioning on why I was a member of the ASGCA - I found myself listening to Ed address the membership as a whole. Ed wasn't well at the time, but he still had the strength of personality to remind us why we were all there and why we should be very proud to be a golf course architect (and member of the ASGCA).

He reminded us of how the friendships that we had made in the ASGCA would be so very dear to us in the future. He explained how we really could make a difference to the profession and to the industry by respecting the people around you and simply doing the best work you could at all times. He inspired everyone in that room that night to care more - about each other and about what we build.

Here was a man who needed oxygen to get through the day, yet he took the stage with passion and was rivitting and compelling. It made me proud to be part of an association where somebody cared about everyone as much as Ed did.

I can't say enough about how much he effected all the new members that night - we talked about what he said late into the evening. He will be dearly missed - but certainly never forgotten

Ian Andrew, ASGCA

[Jeff_Brauer]

Ian,

Thanks for posting. I was considering it but got too busy.

That night where Ed spoke was one of the most memorable nights I ever had, as were many nights spent in his company, and full of Ed Seay stories.  Even with Arnie speaking on his behalf, he commanded the room with his comments afterwards.  He truly was one of a kind.

My favorite Ed story was my very first turf show, where Ed was speaking to a group of contractors after dinner, as then President of ASGCA.  He announced a detailed plan to foster better communication between contractors and architects, expounding at length.  At the end he says, "Here's the gist of it - Contractors, read the gawdamn specs!"

I learned a lot from my time with Ed at ASGCA meetings.  That kind of experience is what its all about in ASGCA.  I am a better architect for having known him as well as I did.  Last year, he even called me to thank me for my service to ASGCA and we had a nice chat.  I consider that conversation as a cherished memory also, right up there with my call from Robert Trent Jones.

I am sure he is in heaven, giving them hell as we speak!  At least, he is making sure all the heavenly sod is laid green side up, rather than upside down, backwards and purple. (an Ed catch phrase, among many)

[Rich Goodale]

RIP, Mr. Seay

I played Sawgrass CC regularly for 2-3 years and it never failed to delight and enlighten me.

Rich

[michael j fay]

Ed Seay was a wonderful guy with a marvelous sense of humor. He loved the game and everything to do with it.

He will be missed.

[grandwazo]

I played Old Tabby Links this year, and absolutely loved it.  Without a doubt the best "residential" golf course I have ever played.  The 17th and 18th holes are among my favorite all time closing holes.  Check out www.springisland.com and take the course tour to get an idea of just how special this course is.  I was told that Palmer was very involved in the design of the course, payback for not getting the job on another of the developers projects, but I assume that Mr. Seay was the primary visionary behind this wonderful course.  I look forward someday to getting back to Ireland to play Tralee, I've been told that is also a very special place.  

[John Kavanaugh]

Is Musgrove Mill his best work?

[Lester George]

Here is a comment I sent yesterday to some friends after learning of Ed's death.  It is one of my most personal of Ed's stories and I relayed it to him again this year at the Singleton dinner.  I glad I did as he perked up as I told it.  

In 1989, not sure of my future in golf course design, I contacted Ed to ask about the possibility of working for him at Palmer Course Design.  Graciously, Ed ask me to send him a resume’.  Knowing that he had just laid off people because of the economy, I sent a resume’ which I am sure was totally inadequate to go to work for him in any circumstance.  

Like the gentleman and professional he was, he called me the next day and told me of his situation.  But then he said, “Go ahead and hang your own shingle, Lester.  With your experience you’ll do just fine.  If not, I’ll hire you a year from today and send you somewhere”.  

That was the encouragement I needed and even though he had to turn me down, he made feel the confidence that I needed to get me through.  I always loved him for that and will always admire what he accomplished in this business.

Semper Fi, Ed.

[Doug Sobieski]

I really enjoy hearing the architects tell us about the impact Ed had on them.

Not being an architect, he impacted me in other ways, and any time spent with him was certainly memorable. One of the most important days of my life (probably only behind my wedding day and my daughter's birth) was directly influenced by Ed and it's something that I'll be telling people about for the rest of my life. I'm lucky to have gotten to spend some great time with him during my career.

He'll be missed by anyone who was lucky to know him.

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