Ron:

I have seen this before...didn't think much of it really, but here in New York, NY State Education law states that you must be a licensed landscape architect to practice as a golf course architect.  I happen to be a licensed LA for whatever that is worth, but I know many who practice GCA and have practiced in NY without an LA registration and never think anything of it either.  With all of the permitting and drainage review going to the engineers as requirements by local muncipalities, I think the state is just trying to suck some $ wherever they can

I do like your reference to the PGA tour however  

Ron,

Actually, that's a license to kill. Agent 1818 at your service....

I will email them tomorrow and make sure they correct it since there is no licensing.  I should have noticed it, but hey, I never read THAT guy, and I can't bear to look at the pic.

Mike, just make sure you make it clear that wasn't my seminar.

A few states have attempted to register golf course architects, but they soon realize that there may only be 3 or 4 qualified to sit on a review panel to do what — "license" 3 or 4 others?

Jack Snyder can be credited with taking the matter to the highest court (to date) in a 1960s decision Snyder v. State of Arizona. Jack had not been paid for a job, he sued to get paid. The developer counter-sued, claiming that Jack was not "licensed" to practice golf design. Jack claimed that there could be no such license, as the practice was unique, unlike landscape architecture, and certainly not building architecture. The Arizona Supreme Court agreed with Snyder — it remains the highest court to rule on the subject as of this date.

In the Court's ruling, it was opined that golf course architecture involves a unique set of knowledge and skills that cannot be considered landscape architecture, architecture or engineering, and therefore, not subject to the licensing of those professions. And, that "golf course architects" had the right to use the word "architect" in combination with the other words; that this was not a violation of the prohibition to use "architect" in a title unless registered as a technical professional.


The term "Golf Course Architect" goes back many, many years — long before many states even considered registering professional architects or other professionals.

Nevada does, to a degree. Although a contingent of interested parties worked to get it re-written at the last minute. It now requires a Landscape Architect to be on the team.

I suppose, yes. It was an odd law. So far they have not taken the matter up with Jack Nicklaus, golf architect...nor Pete, etc.

Greg Nash was cited by the State of Arizona for practicing "Landscape Architecture" by designing golf courses. That caused a series of meetings at which no official action was taken.

Quote from: Ron Farris on January 30, 2007, 08:56:00 PM

Licensed Golf Course Architect

I saw this underneath Jeff Brauer's picture in Golf Course News, I think.  I was not aware that their was a licensing for golf course architects. Where does one get a license to practice golf course architecture - The PGA Tour?  

Forgive me if I am mistaken.

I would think that was not Jeff's doing.
But I was in a seminar last week at the PGA show . the seminar was supposedly about worldwide golf development but it was predominantly a presentation to encourage the PGA club pros to use specific architects who were supposedly much more qualified than many others.....it was interesting  and humorous to watch.....one could have easily left the meeting with the PERCEPTION some had a license.....oh well

Mike:

Just wondering....What organization conducted the seminar?  And what "qualifications" were consistent to all the architects they were recommending to the pros?