Interview: Designing Beyond the Fairway with Jason Straka
In a recent episode of What Do You Do?, an award winning documentary series exploring the world’s most unique careers, our own Jason Straka sat down with the host to share an inside look at the work we do as golf course architects. With over 35 years in the industry, Jason discussed what it really takes to blend art, environmental science, and technical engineering to build unique courses around the globe.
Key Takeaways from the Interview
1. A Comprehensive, Multidisciplinary Approach
As Jason explained, golf course design at Fry/Straka extends far beyond laying out 18 holes. Drawing from his background in landscape architecture and a Master’s degree in agronomy (soil science), both from Cornell University, hands-on maintenance, and construction management, every course we design requires assembling a complete team of specialists, such as:
Civil Engineers & Hydrogeologists: To secure sustainable water sources and engineer complex drainage systems.
Environmental Advisors & Botanists: To safeguard local flora, protect wetlands, and preserve natural habitats.
2. True Environmental Sustainability
For our firm, "sustainability" isn't a buzzword—it requires balancing economic, social, and environmental factors on every site:
Sustainable Grass Selection: We utilize grass varieties bred to require significantly less water, fertilizer, and pesticides.
Responsible Site Selection: Our design approach prioritizes avoiding protected wetlands, native forests, and critical agricultural zones.
Land Restoration: We frequently transform damaged land into thriving ecosystems—converting former landfills, quarries, or ranches into green, bio-diverse landscapes.
3. Our Global Footprint & Technical Challenges
Our work takes us across the world—managing projects in Japan, Singapore, Ireland, Mexico, Dubai, and Hong Kong.
Featured Project: Hong Kong's Landfill Transformation Jason highlighted one of our most technically demanding projects: building Hong Kong's first new golf course in nearly 40 years on a former landfill. Our team tackled complex engineering hurdles by:
Managing sub-surface methane gas and soil settlement.
Capturing 100% of surface runoff before it reaches the harbor, directing it into retention tanks for irrigation.
Reforesting native tree species and restoring local wildlife habitats.
4. The Human Impact of Our Work
Beyond the environmental science and design aesthetics, we are constantly reminded of the community impact our courses have. Jason shared a moving story from a municipal course hearing in Texas, where a resident explained how the local golf community pulled him out of isolation after losing his wife. Knowing our designs create spaces that positively touch thousands of lives gives deep purpose to everything we build at Fry/Straka.
Jason's Advice for Aspiring Professionals
When asked what advice he has for anyone looking to enter the golf design or sports industry, Jason shared a few core principles:
Understand the Lifestyle: Before diving into the technical details, recognize that global design work means traveling 100 to 200+ days a year, requiring strong family support and communication.
Be Persistent ("Pester Me"): Don't be afraid to reach out to leaders in the industry and stay on their radar. Passion and respectful persistence open doors.
Explore All Avenues: The golf industry offers hundreds of rewarding career paths beyond architecture—including agronomy, environmental management, engineering, and tournament operations.
Watch the full interview at wdyd.ca (paid subscription required).