The Process Episode 4: From the Dunes of Ireland to the Earth-Moving Marvel of Miakka
In an interview published in a recent podcast episode of The Process, Dana Fry details his journey from playing collegiate golf to becoming a leading architect. He credits mentors Andy Banfield and Mike Stranz for teaching him the art of large-scale earth-moving and meticulous shaping.
The conversation dives deep into the engineering marvel of Miakka Golf Club in Florida. To transform flat terrain into a dramatic landscape, the team moved millions of cubic yards of dirt and implemented innovative features like a 500-foot cart tunnel and Zoysia tees, fairways, and greens. Fry also highlights Curracloe Links in Ireland, emphasizing a naturalistic approach that routes through coastal dunes.
Whether discussing sand-capping for firm-and-fast play or the necessity of sustainable design, the episode explores Fry’s obsession with creating world-class courses that balance bold aesthetics with environmental stewardship.
From Landfill to Landmark: The Sustainable Transformation of Plover Cove
In this detailed report, Golf Course Architecture explores the remarkable evolution of Plover Cove, where Fry/Straka is transforming 50 hectares of the former Shuen Wan landfill into a premier golf destination. This project represents one of Hong Kong’s most ambitious environmental and engineering feats, reclaiming a site once used for industrial waste and reimagining it as a sustainable green space.
The article emphasizes the delicate balance required to build atop a restored landfill, blending technical precision with artistic routing. Featured renderings, such as the par-three twelfth hole playing toward Tolo Harbour, showcase how the design maximizes stunning coastal views and integrates the nearby Tai Po Kau Nature Reserve. By prioritizing environmental stewardship and innovative land use, Fry/Straka is not just building a golf course, but creating a vital ecological haven that breathes new life into the Hong Kong landscape.
The Art of Engineering: Sculpting a Golfing Masterpiece at Plover Cove
In the latest issue of Golf Course Architecture, the spotlight turns to the extraordinary engineering feat currently underway at Plover Cove in Hong Kong. Tasked with transforming a site defined by steep slopes and numerous constraints, the Fry/Straka team is proving that no landscape is too challenging for world-class golf.
The article, titled ‘Doing it Tough,’ highlights the sheer scale of the project, which requires moving massive amounts of earth to forge a playable, strategic layout on the site of a former landfill. Jason Straka notes that while the site presents immense technical hurdles—from drainage to stabilization—it also offers a rare canvas for dramatic shot-making and breathtaking vistas.
By balancing meticulous engineering and visionary golf with environmental sensitivity, Fry/Straka is turning one of the world’s most difficult sites into a landmark destination. Plover Cove stands as a testament to our firm’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of modern golf course design.
Miakka Golf Club: A New Standard for Environmental Stewardship
In a feature by Your Observer, the Miakka Golf Club is lauded for its uncompromising commitment to nature. Owner Steve Herrig and the Fry/Straka design team have gone far beyond regulatory requirements to ensure the 1,100-acre site in Myakka City is left in better condition than they found it.
Key to this transformation is a sophisticated stormwater management system engineered by the Fry/Straka led design team. By utilizing dry retention basins and filtration, the course captures and cleans over 90% of surface water, preventing untreated runoff from entering the Myakka River. The project also features the extensive use of varieties of Zoysiagrass, which use less water, fertilizer, and pesticides than other popular species, coupled with the planting of thousands of indigenous trees and shrubs.
More than just a golf course, Miakka Golf Club is part of Mr. Herrig’s massive conservation effort along the Myakka River, proving that high-end golf and ecological restoration can work hand-in-hand.
Groundbreaking: The Total Golf Playground at Boca West Country Club
We are thrilled to share that Boca West Country Club has officially broken ground on the complete renovation of Golf Course 1, a centerpiece of our ongoing partnership with this premier South Florida club.
Beyond the 7,300-yard championship layout, the renovation includes a new 9-hole short course and an expansive 65,000-square-foot putting green. As Jason Straka noted during the groundbreaking, this project is a tremendous opportunity to enhance a premier course while introducing entirely new ways for members of all skill levels to experience and enjoy the game.
Exploring Miakka Golf Club with Dana Fry and USGA President Kevin Hammer
In this insightful film from Sticks Golf Research, host Trey Wren takes us on an exclusive journey to Myakka City, Florida, for a deep dive into one of the most anticipated new projects in the world of golf: Miakka Golf Club.
The video features our very own Dana Fry, who provides a behind-the-scenes property tour of the course currently under construction, sharing his vision for the ambitious project, portions of which mimic the great courses of the Australian Sandbelt.
Hibiscus Golf Club sold for private club
The sale of Hibiscus Golf Club in the Lely area of Naples, Florida marks the beginning of a sophisticated transformation, as the property prepares to emerge as The Lantern Club. This transition represents a bold vision to elevate the site into an ultra-exclusive destination that mirrors the prestige and architectural excellence found at Naples’ most storied clubs. At Fry/Straka, we understand the DNA of this elite market—having designed Calusa Pines, we recognize that the Naples golf community has an enduring appetite for world-class design and uncompromising quality.
As the vision for The Lantern Club takes shape, it joins the ranks of local icons like Naples National, where the focus remains squarely on the art of the game and a refined member experience. This project is a testament to the continued evolution of Southwest Florida’s golf landscape, proving that even established layouts can be reimagined as premier, high-end retreats. In a recent feature by Gulfshore Business, the details of this sale and the ambitious goals for the property are explored, signaling a new era for golf in the region.
New Podcast: Exploring the "Irish Rarity" of Curracloe Links
In a recent episode of Golf Innerview with Ann Liguori, Edward Doyle, Director of Golf at Druids Glen and the highly anticipated Curracloe Links, joins the show to discuss the birth of Ireland’s newest seaside masterpiece.
The episode, titled "An Irish Rarity Awaits," delves into the 26-year journey to bring golf to this specific site in County Wexford—a project that marks the first-ever Irish design for award-winning architects Dana Fry and Jason Straka.
Curracloe Links Has a “Sense of Place”
"Curracloe" translates from Gaelic to mean marsh—a fitting name for a site where a natural wetland separates the lush golf corridors from the towering seaside dunes. Curracloe Links recently caught up with golf course architect Jason Straka to discuss the unique "sandscape" that defines the course. From the strategic "ground game" built into the layout to the massive rolling hills of sand, the course is designed to play fast and firm. Check out the video in the link to hear Jason explain why this project is more than just a course—it’s a celebration of its environment.
Fry/Straka Trio Honored Among the 21st Century’s Best
At Fry/Straka, one of our core values is "Creative Distinction"—creating golf courses with their own distinct personality that respect the natural land while providing a world-class test of the game.
We are thrilled to see this vision recognized by Golf Digest as three of our designs have earned their place among the elite in their latest ranking of the The 50 Greatest Courses Built Since 2000.
Fry/Straka Courses Honored in The LINKS 100
We are incredibly proud to announce that three of our signature designs have been recognized by LINKS Magazine in the inaugural LINKS 100, a definitive ranking of the top golf courses in the United States and the World.
Earning a spot on this list is a distinct honor, as the rankings are determined exclusively by the votes of our peers—the professional members of the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA), the European Institute of Golf Course Architects (EIGCA), and the Society of Australian Golf Course Architects (SAGCA).
You can now book tee times at soon to be opened golf course in Ireland
The stunning Curracloe Links at Ravenport Resort doesn't open for play until the spring of 2027, but golfers can already check for availability and tee times for the opportunity to play Ireland's newest spectacular links.
With play set to begin on the April 1 2027, Curracloe Links is poised to spearhead what will become one of Ireland’s leading golf destinations - the sunny south east. Located adjacent to the iconic Curracloe Beach, the 18-hole links course has been masterfully brought to life by the award-winning architecture team of Jason Straka and Dana Fry, renowned for their environmentally sensitive and strategic approach to golf course architecture.
Erin Hills Honored with 2026 NGCOA Jemsek Public Course of the Year Award
The National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) has honored Erin Hills Golf Course as the 2026 NGCOA Jemsek Public Course of the Year. Erin Hills will receive this award on Monday, January 19, at the NGCOA Golf Business Conference 2026 in Orlando.
The NGCOA Jemsek Public Course of the Year award, named after the late Joe Jemsek (widely regarded as the “Patriarch of Public Golf”), recognizes a privately owned, daily fee golf facility that exemplifies excellence in operations, community impact, and contributions to the game of golf.
Ten golf course designs to look out for in 2026
As the golf calendar turns to 2026, there’s no shortage of projects capturing the imagination. From new layouts built on dramatic landscapes to restorations of historic venues, this year promises to be an interesting year in golf course design.
Fry/Straka landed one of the ten anticipated golf courses with its design for Plover Cove in Hong Kong.
QUICKSHOT: Desert design meets water drama in Abu Dhabi
A floodlit 9-hole course that blends desert landscapes with bold design in Abu Dhabi. Nestled in the Yas Acres community, Yas Acres Golf & Country Club is a bold addition to Abu Dhabi’s golf scene. Designed by the renowned Fry/Straka team, this 9-hole, 3,700-yard floodlit par-36 course spans 130 acres and combines eye-catching scenery with a dynamic layout that includes long holes, rolling contours and a central ridgeline that runs through the course.
From Equestrian Excellence to Championship Golf: A Day at TerraNova
And then we had the privilege of visiting The Miakka Golf Club, directly adjacent to the equestrian center. This is where the story takes another turn, because what they’re building is exceptional. The course is being designed by Fry/Straka Global Golf Design, in partnership with golf champion Paul Azinger — a name synonymous with strategic, championship-level thinking. Even with nine holes complete and the remaining nine underway, the vision is unmistakable: this is going to be a world-class course.
Sawgrass Country Club membership approves $55 million in improvements
Sawgrass Country Club will undergo $55 million in capital improvements under a plan approved by the club’s membership, according to an Oct. 22 news release.
The release said the plan will fund a 7,347-square-foot fitness center expansion, an updated Beach Club Pavilion and dining area, a refreshed Tennis Pavilion, 13 new tennis courts and a 27-hole golf course renovation led by architects Dana Fry and Jason Straka.
Inside Belleair Country Club with Connor T. Lewis
Fry/Straka Global Golf Course Design completed a hybrid renovation and restoration of the West Course at Belleair Country Club. This project has successfully brought the course back to its historic brilliance while thoughtfully integrating modern design features.
Hear more about this transformation from club member and founder of the Society of Golf Historians, Connor T. Lewis. As a well-traveled golfer with an extensive appreciation for the world's finest golf course architecture, Connor discusses everything from the club's rich history, including its Donald Ross designed golf courses, to the specific design elements of the West Course and the overall property.
Fry/Straka Lands Two of the Top 10 Private Short Courses per Golfweek
Welcome to the Golfweek’s Best 2025 ranking of the top par-3, short and non-traditional private golf courses in the United States. To acknowledge a recent and rapid rise in short courses, Golfweek’s Best introduced a ranking of these layouts in 2023. In 2024 we broke the category into two: public-access courses and private layouts.
Basically, they all fit the bill of not being a traditional-length, traditional-par course. And just like the best short courses, we threw out some of the rules used for rating traditional courses and asked our raters to submit one overall score for each course based on how much they enjoyed the design and the environment. Those individual ratings were then combined to form one average rating. Each course had to receive a minimum number of 10 votes.
Plover Cove takes shape in Hong Kong
The development of Plover Cove Golf Club in Hong Kong – which is due to open in 2027 – took a major step forward this month with the completion of a 1.5km retaining wall around the 53-hectare site in Shuen Wan.
The Plover Cove project is being developed in collaboration with Fry/Straka Global Golf Course Design, agronomy and sustainability consultants Turfgrass, and Flagstick Golf Course Construction Management.
The landmark development will transform a restored landfill site into a 6,600-yard, par-71 championship course, complete with luxury clubhouse and other leisure facilities, at a projected cost of $4.5 billion HKD ($600m US).