Welcome to the Golf Sustainability Podcast

In this episode of the Golf Sustainability Podcast, John Failla welcomes Jason Straka, principal of Fry Straka Global Golf Course Design, a leading global authority on sustainable golf course design. Jason shares his journey into the world of golf and how his passion for the environment led him to merge golf and environmental aspects of design

Explaining how golf courses can be sustainable and have beautiful designs is a leading global authority on sustainable golf course design, Jason Straka, principal of Fry / Straka Global Golf Course Design.

Sustainable golf course design strives to create a course that is good for the environment, welcoming to the community, and financially sound for the long term. Jason emphasizes that these three aspects need to coexist to create truly sustainable golf courses and guides golf fans through the challenges in implementing sustainable design.

Highlighted Topics Covered

• Importance of achieving carbon net zero and using sustainably sourced materials (0:00 - 0:25)
• State of sustainable golf course design in different regions of the world (4:12 - 16:29)
• Three-Legged Stool of Sustainability (16:30 - 26:36)
• Transformation of Ambiente Golf Course in Arizona (26:37 - 27:03)
• Challenges associated with implementing sustainable design in golf courses (27:04 - 30:39)
• ASGCA’s efforts in promoting sustainability and environmental awareness in golf course architecture (45:50 - 49:03)
• Golf Course Superintendents Association (49:08 - 52:33)
• Independent verification of sustainability efforts (52:42 - 57:10)
• Toro’s and Rainbird’s significant role in advancing sustainable golf course development (57:16 - 59:27)
• Automation and environmentally sustainable equipment (1:00:27)
• Future of environmental and sustainable design (1:03:30)

Resources 

• Fry / Straka Global Golf Course Design
• Golf Course Scottsdale | JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort and Spa.
• Home - American Society of Golf Course Architects (asgca.org)
• Golf Course Superintendents Association of America | GCSAA
• Golf Environment Organization | Confederation of Professional Golf (cpg.golf)

Connect with Guest, Jason Straka

• LinkedIn

Connect with Fry / Straka Global Golf Course Design

• Fry / Straka Global Golf Course Design
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Twitter

Connect with Host, John Failla

• LinkedIn
• John@GolfSustainability.com

Connect with Golf Sustainability on Social Media

• LinkedIn 
• Facebook 
• Instagram
• X (Twitter)

Subscribe to Golf Sustainability

• Apple Podcast 
• Spotify 
• Amazon Music

Thank you for listening to Golf Sustainability. If you found this episode interesting, don't forget to subscribe and leave a review!