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The Gog Blog Chicago’s #1 Online Golf News Source by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy. At Golf House the USGA Museum in Far Hills NJ.

The USGA is back in Illinois, no it’s not because they have announced a U.S. Open coming to town in the years ahead.

But the United States Golf Association and the American Society of Golf Course architects, have teamed up to launch a new program to help public golf courses improve their design and maintenance of their facilities. The end result is expected to bring a better experience for golfers.

The two organizations will combine forces to provide the following. The member architects of the ASGCA, will work with the USGA agronomists, scientists and researchers. This program provides pro bono consulting services to facilities that need help in improving their facilities more enjoyable, while reducing costs. Canal Shores of Evanston (formerly Peter Jans) is the first course that’s been selected for the program.

 The United States Golf Association USGA.org, Mike Davis is the Executive Director of the USGA, the logo of the American Society Golf Course Architects, founded in 1946.

” Course design and maintenance form the foundation of a golf facility’s operations,” said Mike Davis, USGA executive director. “With the knowledge that the ASGCA and USGA can offer, more publicly accessible facilities will be able will be able to strengthen this base, while promoting resource efficiency, a better golf experience and a stringer connection to the local community.”

Since December 8th, courses can submit an application for the program. Services that courses receive are an on-site evaluation, professional analysis and a report outlining recommendations for improvement. Those recommendations can cover course design, agronomy, environmental stewardship and golf course operations, with the goal of lowering costs while also improving the overall golf experience.

” The ASGCA, along with the ASGCA Foundation led by John LaFoy, is pleased to partner with the USGA on this initiative,” said Steve Smyers, president of the ASGCA. “Golf facilities have long benefited from the efforts of ASGCA members and USGA agronomists. Collaboration between our experts will have a positive impact on the facilities we support. ASGCA members are excited and proud to bring their expertise to this program.”

Links and Tee’s is open year round.

The Canal Shores Golf Course, is a community owned and operated golf facility in Evanston.

“This has been an incredible opportunity,” said Jason Way, of the Canal Shores planning committee. ” We have some great ideas about how to improve the course, but the assistance from the USGA and the ASGCA allows us to get past the initial planning process, so we can move forward with our vision for making Canal Shores a multi-use community green space that the maximum number of people can enjoy.”

Courses that are must express a willingness to carry out the recommendations from the USGA and the ASGCA. The facilities selected, must track and report the effectiveness of their improvements based on specific metrics.