2009-09-23 07:48:53 - Ron Dodson, who serves on numerous environmentally-focused committees, is a prolific writer, and a frequent presenter to state and federal agencies on the topics of water quality, ecological studies, restoration planning, and community planning was the recipient of the 2009 Donald Ross Award during the 63nd ASGCA Annual Meeting in Seattle, Washington.

Audubon Lifestyles, a non-profit organization based in the Principles for Sustainability, believing that the most natural way to foster and promote sustainability is by working to balance the triple bottom line of people, profit, and planet would like to congratulate Mr. Dodson on this tremendous achievement and honor.

Mr. Dodson made an eloquent case for golf to embrace sustainable design during his Ross Award acceptance speech at the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA) 63rd Annual Meeting in Seattle, Washington. “Golf is among the best forms of sustainable development,” said Dodson. “Sustainable projects need to be as profitable as possible so that they are economically viable. Add to that environmentally sensible and socially positive and you have a very good

definition of sustainability. Well-designed and well-maintained golf courses fit that definition.”

Also included in the sustainability definition is the responsible stewardship of water. Dodson said that golf should be promoted as part of the infrastructure of the watershed and that when water supplies become even more restrictive that golf courses will “stand out like a sore thumb.” He encouraged golf to be more proactive in positioning itself as the good steward it is so that it can get its fair share of water. “Golf can be a catalyst for sustainable communities,” Dodson explained. “I think golf course architects have a great opportunity to further the golf industry as courses seek ways to become more sustainable. When the focus of golf is beyond the game and people understand the ways it can positively impact the environment and economy, it will help the game with the challenges it is currently facing.”

The Donald Ross Award is given annually by ASGCA to a person who has positively influenced the game of golf and golf course architecture. Dodson is the 34th recipient of the award, which was given for the first time in 1976 to Robert Trent Jones.

Founded in 1946 by 14 leading architects, the American Society of Golf Course Architects is a non-profit 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. ASGCA members are experienced golf course architects, able to counsel in all aspects of golf course design and remodeling.

Previous Donald Ross Award Recipients

YEAR RECIPIENT OCCUPATION
2009 Ron Dodson Sustainable Golf Advocate
2008 George Peper Golf Writer and Publisher
2007 Dr. Michael Hurdzan Golf Course Architect ASGCA
2006 Jim Awtrey CEO PGA of America
2005 John Singleton Irrigation Pioneer
2004 Thomas Cousins Urban Golf Developer
2003 Bill Campbell President, USGA, Captain, Royal & Ancient Golf Club
2002 Byron Nelson Professional Golfer
2001 Jack Nicklaus ASGCA Professional Golfer, Golf Course Architect
2000 Jaime Ortiz-Patiño Owner, President, Valderrama Golf Club
1999 Arnold Palmer ASGCA Professional Golfer Fellow
1998 Judy Bell President, USGA
1997 Gene Sarazen Professional Golfer
1996 Ron Whitten Golf Writer
1995 Pete Dye ASGCA Fellow Golf Course Architect
1994 James R. Watson Agronomist
1993 Brent Wadsworth Golf Course Builder
1992 Paul Fullmer ASGCA Executive Secretary
1991 Michael Bonallack Secretary, Royal and Ancient (St. Andrews)
1990 John Zoller Former Executive Director, No. California Golf Association
1989 Dick Taylor Editor, Golf World Magazine
1988 Frank Hannigan USGA Executive Director
1987 Charles Price Golf Writer, Author
1986 Deane Beman PGA Tour Commissioner
1985 Peter Dobereiner London Observer Columnist, Author
1984 Dinah Shore Sponsor of Women's Golf Tournaments
1983 Al Radko Former Director, USGA Green Section
1982 Geoffrey Cornish ASGCA Golf Course Architect, Historian Fellow
1981 James Rhodes Governor of Ohio
1980 Gerald Micklem Former Captain, Royal and Ancient
1979 Joe Dey Former Executive Director of the USGA
1978 Herb and Joe Graffis Founders, National Golf Foundation
1977 Herbert Warren Wind Golf Digest Columnist, Author
1976 Robert Trent Jones ASGCA Founding Member of ASGCA

For more information visit the Audubon Lifestyles website at: www.audubonlifestyles.org