A+C 18: The Future of Landscape Architecture + Disc Golf Course Design

Be part of this unique discussion that will explore the growing sport of disc golf. The presentation aims to start a conversation about the need for higher collaboration among architects, landscape architects and various technical teams that will help create a more viable future for the sport. Disc golf has the potential to open a wealth of project opportunities for creating well-designed courses across the country and for those courses to become a powerful magnet that attracts thousands of disc golfers from around the world.

Program inquiries: Annabelle Udo-O'Malley, Manager, Public Programs, auomalley@aiasf.org
Additional info: https://www.archandcity.org/experiences18

SPEAKERS

John Heaton | Founder, Whirld Sports, LLC

Now a California resident, John grew up in a ball golfing family and played regularly with his dad, uncles and brother. At an early age (5th grade) he became enamored with the Frisbee® flying disc and hasn’t put it down since. During his college years at Northern Illinois University, John was introduced to Ultimate Frisbee and later Disc Golf. In 1988 he started playing in disc golf tournaments and, by winning several local and regional events, was awarded Rookie of the Year by the Professional Disc Golf association. In his 30-year business career, John has been involved in the sale and marketing of advanced medical and surgical devices. Besides his roles as sales and marketing manager, John has been the product development manager of several medical devices and named on several patents. In 2010, John founded Whirld Sports to market proprietary products to improve disc golf. In 2015 and 2016 he was the Event Chair for the highly acclaimed inaugural and 1st annual St. Jude Disc Golf Charity Invitationals. Over his disc golf career, John has played over 650 courses and has dedicated a great deal of study toward making disc golf the most participated in sport on earth; in other words… Making the Whirld Better™.

Sean Jack | VP, Strategic Partnerships, Disc Golf Pro Tour
Sean manages business development for an event discovery website in San Francisco. He has been addicted to event planning and production since high school where he hosted a rock show for 1000+ attendees before graduation. While trail running at Borderland State Park, he heard the inimitable sound of the chains – and the addiction took over immediately. He somehow made the cut at the 2008 Vibram Open and developed a friendship with Steve Dodge.

Sean has worked with the Disc Golf Pro Tour before launch on tour partnerships. He strives to land the proverbial big fish of advertisers outside of the disc golf industry. After running several events for the San Francisco Disc Golf Club, he was thrilled to host the first DGPT event in CA – The SF Open. Known as the SFO, this was the first large-scale pro only tournament in San Francisco. It was held at the Gleneagles Golf Course in McLaren Park where Sean and his team raised the capital via a crowdfunding campaign and managed the design/build elements of the championship caliber course.

Chuck Kennedy | Course Design Chair, Professional Disc Golf Association
Chuck has been a consultant to the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) since 2000, serving as head of the Course Design, Game Development and Stats Committees and as a member of the Technical Standards and Competition Committees. Hailing from Ohio, but now a long-time Minnesota resident, he has been responsible for the design, co-design or consulting on more than 100 course projects and has played over 700 courses in North America, many in competition. He co-founded the 225-member Disc Golf Course Designers group in 1994 who helped develop and continue to update the PDGA course design and development guidelines. Chuck earned his technical and financial foundation from Chemical Engineering and MBA (Marketing) degrees combined with a dozen years in Fortune 500 companies before venturing into various entrepreneurial and consulting efforts that continue to this day. He discovered disc golf in 1989 at a time when it was growing and ready for improved systems, rules, course design guidelines, technical standards and statistics. As a natural futurist, he continues to develop new ways where the PDGA can improve, better serve members and expand its global presence.

Katrina Majewski, PLA, ASLA, American Society of Landscape Architects

Katrina has been on the Executive Committee of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Northern California Chapter since 2014. She has served as the Emerging Professionals Director, Secretary, and PR/Communications Director, and is currently the chapter President- Elect. Currently living in the Bay Area she was born and raised in New Jersey. Now a practicing Landscape Architect, Katrina graduated from Rutgers University where she was first introduced to the wonders of disc golf.