PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida – Palmer Course Design President Ed Seay received the Don A. Rossi Award during the recent Golf Course Builders Association of America (GCBAA) Awards Dinner held in Atlanta. The annual award is given in memory of the late GCBAA executive director Don Rossi by the association to individuals who have made significant contributions to the game of golf and its growth, and who have inspired others by their example.
"Ed is one of the most dynamic figures in the golf industry," said Landscapes Unlimited LLC Chief Executive Officer Bill Kubly, who has worked with Seay on nearly 20 projects and presented him with the award. "It was a privilege for me to present the award to Ed. He could have asked anyone and I was honored he selected me."
Seay has played a vital role in the golf industry for nearly 40 years. He has participated in the design, construction, and promotion of more than 350 golf courses worldwide, and continues to be involved with numerous state, regional and national golf associations.
He began working with golf legend Arnold Palmer in 1971 after receiving a phone call from the King asking Seay to pack his bags – he was heading to Japan to design their first golf course together. Manago Golf Club was the beginning of a successful business partnership and friendship between Seay and Palmer that is never more evident than at a golf course grand opening. According to Kubly, who has celebrated many openings with the Palmer Course Design team, Seay is like a "kid in a candy store." He added, "He’s up there, holding court as Arnold Palmer’s right hand — it’s something special to witness their dynamic."
Seay, a renowned golf course architect, and Palmer, a legendary player who claimed 92 victories throughout his professional career, launched Ponte Vedra Beach-based Palmer Course Design in 1979. The formation of the golf course architecture company brought together two prominent forces – player and architect – creating a high-powered team that would lend its talent to some of the industry’s most celebrated masterpieces.
"Ed has put Palmer Course Design on the map," Kubly added. "The legacy of Palmer Course Design will be that they build courses that people like to play. When others are building courses that are bigger and more difficult, Palmer Course Design continues to create designs that are fun and appeal to everyone."
Seay is known for not only creating memorable experiences on a golf course, but he is also quite the party-starter, according to Kubly, who stated nothing gets Seay in a dancing mood like a good steak dinner and "Jim Dandy to the Rescue" after the tournament at Bay Hill.
Seay is a graduate and avid fan of the University of Florida and was a commissioned officer in the United States Marine Corps Infantry and Recon division. He has been at the creation helm of numerous tournament courses through the world; among the most prominent is Sawgrass Country Club in Ponte Vedra Beach, which was the site of THE PLAYERS Championship from 1977 through 1981 and most recently, The Classic Club, home of the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic.
The Don A. Rossi Award was instituted in 1991 after his death on March 11, 1990. The GCBAA choose to honor him by creating the award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the game of golf. Past recipients include Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer.
Founded on the philosophy and standards of excellence set forth by the game’s ambassador, Arnold Palmer, Palmer Course Design has created some of golf’s most memorable and awe-inspiring courses throughout the world. With nearly 300 active projects and open golf courses in 38 states and 23 countries, Palmer Course Design applies fundamental design elements to any style of course and is committed to providing a great golf experience as the company continues to develop its exciting new designs.
For more information about Palmer Course Design, call (904) 285-3960 or visit www.palmerdesign.com.
Contact:
Erik Larsen, Executive Vice President
Palmer Course Design
Phone: (904) 285-3960
Fax: (904) 285-2119
erik@palmerdesign.com
www.palmerdesign.com
Maxine McBride, President
Clockwork Marketing Services, Inc.
Phone: (904) 280-7960
Fax: (904) 280-2567
maxine@clockworkmarketing.com
