The American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA) has elected Bill Bergin of Atlanta as its president. The society announced the result on October 26, 2026, following its 80th Annual Meeting in Nashville, and Bergin will lead ASGCA and its membership for the next year.
Bergin founded Bergin Golf Designs in 1994 and became an ASGCA member in 2013. Before moving into design he played competitively, qualifying for five major championships and 50 PGA Tour events, then worked as a club professional and gained his technical design experience under past ASGCA president Bob Cupp. ASGCA says the firm, whose design associates include his son Matt Bergin and Justin Killingsworth, both ASGCA members, offers design and construction supervision for new courses, renovations and practice facilities.
Projects named in the announcement
The society’s release lists a range of new builds and renovations, including:
- Richland Country Club in Nashville, named one of Golf Digest’s Best Transformations for 2023.
- The Keep at McLemore in Georgia, named 2025 Best New Course by Sports Illustrated.
- Oaks Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma, an A.W. Tillinghast renovation that Golf Digest included among its 2015 Best Remodels.
- Minnesota Valley Country Club in Bloomington, Minnesota, a renovation of a Seth Raynor design.
- Chattanooga Golf & Country Club, a Donald Ross restoration on the Tennessee River.
The release also notes that Golf Inc. named Bergin one of its Top 10 Most Innovative People in Golf in 2017 for his work on the Longleaf Tee Initiative, which encourages golfers to choose tees by how far they hit the ball.
Why it matters for buyers
ASGCA, founded in 1946, is a non-profit body of golf course architects working across North America, and membership involves a peer review of representative courses. Clubs, municipalities and developers planning a renovation or a new course often start their architect search with its member list. Our golf course architects directory lists design firms checked against their own websites, and our guide to choosing a golf course architect and builder explains how the architect and contractor roles fit together.
This report is based on desk research of the announcement published by ASGCA. We have not spoken to ASGCA or Bergin Golf Designs.
Sources
- American Society of Golf Course Architects, Bill Bergin, ASGCA, elected president of American Society of Golf Course Architects, October 26, 2026.
- Golf Course Industry, ASGCA elects Bergin president, October 26, 2026.
- Bergin Golf Designs, services.