By Design - Winter 2014

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Peninsula State Park GC, a
popular 18-hole public facility,
owned a six-acre plot across the
nearby Route 42 that was part of the
original course routing, but had been
abandoned and was unused. The site
was perfect as a ‘grow the game’ short
course location, where golfers of all
ages could learn the game in a low
stress environment before graduating
to the 18-hole course. As well as
providing another park activity, the
course would also introduce golf to a
novice audience.
Peninsula Golf Associates (PGA),
a private, non-profit entity that
leases the land, contacted the
Wadsworth Golf Foundation’s Links
Across America (LAA) to assist with
funding. With LAA, its partners
and a number of private donors
contributing to the US$600,000
project costs, the State of Wisconsin
also jumped on board. Ground was
broken in the summer of 2013,
finished by September 2013, and the
facility opened in August 2014.
“The six holes on the par-three
routing range from 65 to 110 yards,”
says architect Bob Lohmann, ASGCA
of Lohmann Golf Designs. “Famous
holes, including the twelfth at
Augusta, a Redan, and a Punchbowl,
were used as loose templates.”
Lohmann continues, “For ease of play
and maintenance, the teeing areas are
built as extensions of the fairway and
grassed in low-mow bluegrass, and the
bentgrass greens have generous collars.
There’s also talk of using larger cups.”
PGA estimates the new Short
Course and Learning Center will
accommodate 8,000 rounds a year,
with an affordable cost of under
US$10 each. “The course will be
affiliated with the Green Bay Chapter
of The First Tee and will have a full
time instructor to work there and at
the big course, which will use it as a
feeder,” adds Lohmann. “Targeting
parents and kids, the short course is
all about growing the number of new
golfers around the area and getting
them hooked on the game.”
PENINSULA STATE PARK GC
Location:
Ephraim, Wisconsin
Architect:
Bob Lohmann, ASGCA
Lohmann Golf Designs
Project summary:
Bob Lohmann, ASGCA helps
convert unused six-acre plot into
a new short course and learning
centre that will accommodate 8,000
rounds a year.
Partners:
Baudhuin Incorporated
T.J. Emmerich Associates
The Toro Company
Wadsworth Golf Construction
Wadsworth Golf Foundation –
Links Across America
Waupaca Sand & Solutions