A
s economic activity begins to
pick up, and golf operators
continue to consider how
best to position their club for
long-term economic sustainability,
many are deciding that the time is
right to make investments in their
facilities. While each club faces its
own unique set of circumstances,
ASGCA member architects have the
experience and expertise necessary
to advise on how a golf course can
best be improved to meet the goals
of its owners, members, guests and
local community. The following
pages highlight a number of recent
projects where ASGCA architects
are working with the clubs in
order to address their individual
requirements and help them succeed
in the years ahead.
•
Renovation roundup
Course improvements
FOCUS
16
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By Design
By Design
highlights some recent examples of how
ASGCA member architects are helping golf clubs
to improve their facilities.
ASGCA Secretary Greg Martin plans
to start a major reconstruction of
the historic Oak Meadows course in
Addison, Ill., next year. Built in the 1920s
as the Elmhurst Country Club, and host
to the 1941 Chicago Open, won by Ben
Hogan, Oak Meadows was acquired by
the Forest Preserve District of DuPage
County in the 1980s.
“We have long known we had a
wonderful piece of land here, marked
with old growth trees, hickories and
oaks, and providing a real classic golf
experience,” says Ed Stevenson, director of
golf operations. “In recent years, we have
recognized some opportunities not only
to improve the course, but to improve the
property as a whole. As a Forest Preserve
property, we want to make it as high
quality a piece of forestry as we do a golf
experience for the Chicago area golfer.”
After a nationwide search, DuPage Golf
appointed local architect Martin. “The
neat thing about this place is that it’s a
quintessential Illinois landscape,” he says.
“It has hardwoods, it has topography,
wetlands. It has flooding issues and it
has prairie–a bit of everything. One
of the goals of the project is to make
the course more flood resistant. As we
started into that, we realized we had a
great opportunity to make the golf course
something special too. Particularly in an
area surrounded by urbanization, you’re
going to feel as though you’re being taken
away from that a little bit. Hole 17 is going
to be a great, strong par three through the
woods. The finishing three holes will take
you out into an environment that’s pretty
spectacular. We’re going to naturalize
features–all the bridges and walls are
going to go–and expand some wetlands
to provide stormwater management.”
“We aim to improve the wetlands and
the water quality for Salt Creek, while
ensuring the golf course will stay dry,”
says Stevenson. “But we also want to
take the existing practice facilities and
improve them–not just the range, but also
chipping greens and the like.”
PREVENTING FLOODING
AND IMPROVING GOLF
Greg Martin’s design for Oak Meadows will improve not just the course, but the property as a whole
