Rick Robbins, ASGCA, was elected President of the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA) at the organization’s recent 67th Annual Meeting in Greensboro, Ga.
The Cary, N.C., resident heads Robbins & Associates International. His career has included golf course designs and master plans created in 24 states in the U.S. and 11 countries around the world, including China, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand.
Robbins holds a degree in Environmental Design in Landscape Architecture from North Carolina State University School of Design. With more than 39 years of experience in the practice of golf course design, landscape architecture, land planning and project management, Robbins’ list of representative courses includes: HNA Gaolingpo Resort, Dong Feng, Hainan Province, China; China Maple Golf Club, Liaoning Province, China; Palm Garden Golf Club, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Horseshoe Bay Club, Egg Harbor, Wis.; and Mill Creek Golf Club, Mebane, N.C.
As ASGCA President, Robbins said, “I want to work with our friends at the allied associations of Golf to find creative ways to combat the three primary issues that prevent golf from growing: the difficulty of the game for most players, the cost to play and the time it takes to complete an average round.
“Looking at new ways to make golf more acceptable to kids as a regular activity is a start, but we as golf architects must also do our part to encourage our clients whenever possible to think about the cost of golf courses and how difficult they want to make them,” he added.
Robbins started his design career and spent 13 years with von Hagge & Devlin, Inc. He served as Vice President of Planning & Golf Course Development for Nicklaus/Sierra Development Corporation, then was asked by Jack Nicklaus, ASGCA Fellow, to join Nicklaus Design as Senior Design Associate in the Hong Kong office.
Robbins formed his own company in 1991. His courses have been recognized with local, national and international awards, including a Best New Affordable Public Golf Course in the U.S. designation by Golf Digest Magazine.
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