COLIN MONTGOMERIEhits the first fairway at the Harbor Shores Golf Club home of the 2016 Sr. PGA Championship sponsored by Kitchen-Aid tickets on sale now for the Memorial Day Weekend Tournament in Benton Harbor at PGA.com/Srpga. Pelican Golf is now open at Arrowhead Golf Club in Wheaton located in the clubhouse basement, for more information see Arrowheadgolf.org. Kentwool Socks some of the warmest, most comfortable and durable golf socks on the market, visit kentwool.com and order today.   ______________________________________________________________________

The Gog Blog by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on facebook, linkedin and twitter @GogBlogGuy. At Sea Pines on the deck of the lighthouse in South Carolina.

Architect Greg Martin at work in his Batavia studio.

This past week architect Greg Martin of Batavia moved up the chain, and has become President of the American Society of Golf Course architects.

This took place at the associations 70th annual meeting, which was held this year in Washington D.C.

Greg was interviewed live during the May 1st broadcast of Golfers on Golf Radio – listen here:

Martin a graduate of Iowa State University in Ames Iowa, started his career under the late Jim Spear. His first course with Spear was the Amana Colonies course in Amana Iowa. In 1991 Martin formed his own company, Martin Design Partnership Ltd., Martin’s approach to golf course design has been one that expresses efficient, classic design concepts that offer unique golf experiences while promoting environmental benefits.

“I am intrigued by what inspires our membership,” Martin said. “While we are moving past the recent economic challenges, there will be aftershocks. It is a new world and the landscape has shifted. But the well-developed skills of ASGCA members are unique. Each in our own way adds value to the game, provides adventure for golfers and,most importantly, benefits our communities.”

Martin has had impact on the ASGCA Design Excellence Recognition Program, that he created in 2012. Design Excellence promotes innovation and problem-solving skills required in today’s golf course design, whether it’s a small bunkers renovation or a full-scale 18 hole design.

“Design Excellence is about problem-solving,” Martin said. ” Every golf course architect needs to address the unique challenges of a project to better the game. Ultimately, the course and and the game will benefit.”

Martin’s design work includes projects such as the Oak Meadows Golf Club in Addison (currently under renovation), upcoming projects such as River Forest Country Club and Orchard Valley Golf Club. Recently concluded projects include the Wilmette Golf Club, the Fox Run Golf Club in Elk Grove, and the Arrowhead Golf Club in Wheaton.

Martin won a Design Excellence Award for his work at Phillips Park in Aurora. He is currently profiled in the April issue of the Chicago District Golf Association magazine.

Greg Martin will join Golfers on Golf Radio at 9:10 AM tomorrow on WSBC AM 1240.

For more information on the ASGCA or it’s membership please call (262)-786-5960, or visit asgca.org.