26 Davis restores Dye style at Gasprilla TEE BOX Florida’s Gasparilla Golf Club has opened its renovated 18-hole course, just over a year since it was decimated by Hurricane Ian. Originally designed by Pete Dye, the course was scheduled to be rebuilt in 2024 but the project was brought forward after the hurricane damaged trees, greens and the irrigation system. Tripp Davis has spearheaded work, which involved installing new irrigation and drainage, as well as turning over the organic build-up under fairways and rough to enhance surface drainage. Other tasks included shifting some tees, bunkers and fairways lines, and relocating greens. “We had the opportunity to modernise how the course plays,” said Davis. “We enhanced enjoyment for the average to higher-handicap player by taking Photo: ASGCA Benkusky becomes new ASGCA president Mike Benkusky has become the 79th president of the American Society of Golf Course Architects, at the Society’s annual meeting in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Illinois-based architect succeeds Brit Stenson in the role. Benkusky has over thirty years’ experience in golf design, initially for Lohmann Golf Designs and since 2005 with his own firm. He works primarily in the Midwest, with projects in his home state of Iowa, as well as Indiana, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan and Wisconsin. “We have seen a resurgence in golf and our members are busier than ever with all types of projects,” said Benkusky. “After a slowdown in design, many of our members downsized to one-man shops. Now some of them have started to team up, which allows them to complete more work, share their talents and meet their client’s timeframe.” The meeting also saw Frank Jemsek honoured as the 2023 ASGCA Donald Ross Award recipient, following a long career operating the Cog Hill, Pine Meadow and St. Andrews clubs in Illinois, and Summer Grove in Georgia. In accepting the award, Jemsek spoke of his work on initiatives to introduce new players to the game. Education sessions covered a range of topics, including pace of play, strategy, putting courses, fast and firm conditions and native grasses. ASGCA director of outreach Jeff Brauer spoke about the Chicago School of golf course architecture, Garrett Gill provided a retrospective on his father David Gill’s life and career as a golf course architect, and golf historian Dan Moore provided insight into the work of William Langford and Theodore Moreau.
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