By Design - Special Edition

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12 | By Design
With a long tradition of
excellence and enjoyment
for its members, Oaks
Country Club wanted to enhance its
position as one of the premier clubs in
Oklahoma, by improving all aspects
of its golf course, while remaining
true to its historical design origins.
Designed in 1921 by A.W. Tillinghast—
the architect of some of the United
States’ best known courses, including
Winged Foot, Baltusrol and the Black
course at Bethpage State Park—the
golf course at Oaks Country Club had
a strong design core that had been
somewhat lost over the years.
In formulating a renovation plan, Bill
Bergin, ASGCA Associate, examined
aerial photography of the course
from the 1950s, base contours of the
original greens, and bunker styles of
many Tillinghast designs.
On the greens, a poorly performing
soil profile was inhibiting root depth
and hindering the health of the turf.
“They were on ‘life support’ for the
past few years,” says Bergin, “and had
reached the point where they had to
be rebuilt.” New putting surfaces were
constructed, modeled on the original
Tillinghast contours.
The number of bunkers on the
course changed little, but previously
they had consistently bracketed
each hole. Bergin introduced more
diversity to the green bunkering, and
seven fairway bunkers now come into
play on par fives and short par fours.
The bunker style of Baltusrol and
Winged Foot was emulated, with a
blend of grass faces and modest sand
flashing for visibility.
Additional spacing between teeing
areas was introduced, increasing
flexibility of the overall yardage of the
course, which can now play from 500
yards shorter to 300 yards longer than
it could before the renovation.
Drainage was also improved, cart
paths were moved out of view in
numerous locations and fairways
were regrassed and restored to their
original widths. The net result is a
course that is playable for all levels of
golfers, with vastly improved strategy
and aesthetic appeal.
Improved practice facilities and a
new ‘pitch and putt’ course, open to
non-golfing ‘social’ members of the
club, providing excellent opportunities
to introduce new players to golf,
helping to grow the game.
Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Golf course architect: Bill Bergin,
ASGCA, Bergin Golf Designs
Project summary: To restore the
design integrity of its golf course,
Oaks Country Club undertook a
comprehensive renovation that
covered tees, greens and everything
in between, as well as new facilities to
help grow the game.
Oaks CC
Growing the game
Comprehensive renovation helps attract golfers