The Evanston Wilmette Golf Course Association announced that Canal Shores has been selected by the United States Golf Association and the American Society of Golf Course Architects as the first publicly accessible course in the country to receive a pro bono evaluation under a new partnership of USGA and ASGCA announced on Dec. 8. The program is designed to provide services to help public courses improve both design and maintenance, and ultimately deliver a better experience for users. Under the program, Canal Shores will receive the professional guidance and design skills of David Zinkand, lead architect; Drew Rogers and Luke Donald, design consultants; and Todd Quitno, project manager.
In making the announcement, Association President John Powers of Wilmette said, “Canal Shores is honored to be selected by the USGA and the ASGCA to help it realize its goal of developing and implementing a Master Plan for the course. This is a great opportunity for us and a first step in what we expect will be a long term project to improve Canal Shores. As we celebrate our nearly 100-year history, we are committed to a great future for the course and the game of golf, and to implementing much-needed improvements that will benefit future generations mindful of our responsibility for our special place in the community. Kudos to members of our planning committee for their vision and creativity guiding us in our effort to realize this goal.”
Members of the planning committee for Canal Shores include Chair Jay Ryan; and members Andrew Fleming, Pat Goss, Kevin Kane, Thomas Mann, Steve Neumann, Mike O’Connor, Tim Pretzsch, Joe Rickard, Jason Way and Debbie Weixl.
For their announcement, USGA and the ASGCA have posted an informational video featuring Canal Shores that provides more detailed information on the program. That video can be found at http://www.usga.org/articles/2015/12/usga-and-asgca-partnering-to-improve-public-facilities.html.
About Canal Shores Golf Course and the Evanston Wilmette Golf Course Association – The Association, a non-profit, all-volunteer organization, was formed in 1919 to manage the operations of the 18-hole Canal Shores Golf Course. It is established as a charitable organization and qualifies as an exempt organization under Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The course runs along the North Shore Channel from Green Bay Road in Evanston to the Baha’i Temple near Wilmette Harbor. The land that comprises Canal Shores is sub-leased by the Association from the City of Evanston and Village of Wilmette, which lease property from its owner, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) of Cook County. It offers programs that celebrate the game of golf, with special programs designed for families, youth and the community. Visit the website at www.canalshores.org to learn more.
About the USGA – The USGA is one of the world’s foremost authorities on research, development and support of sustainable golf course management practices. It serves as a primary steward for the game’s history and invests in the development of the game through the delivery of its services and its ongoing “For the Good of the Game” grants program. Additionally, the USGA’s Course Rating and Handicap systems are used on six continents in more than 50 countries. For more information about the USGA, visit usga.org.
About the ASGCA and the ASGCA Foundation – Founded in 1946 by 14 leading architects, the American Society of Golf Course Architects is a nonprofit organization comprised of experienced golf course designers located throughout the United States and Canada. Members have completed a rigorous two-year-long application process that includes the peer review of four representative golf courses. The average ASGCA member has spent nearly 30 years as a golf course architect, has designed 42 new 18-hole courses and has worked on or consulted on nearly 150 projects in eight countries around the world. The ASGCA Foundation helps those planning green space for recreational purposes understand how golf course architecture can increase player enjoyment, benefit the environment and grow the game of golf. Visit asgca.org to learn more about the ASGCA and the foundation.
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