By Design - Special Edition

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Following evaluation of a number of
options, the University of Southern
Mississippi (USM) decided to locate
its new short game facility on an area of
wooded land that was available to them at
the prestigious Hattiesburg Country Club,
just a few miles from their main campus
in the city of Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
Their challenge was to accommodate
a large short-game green and separate
practice putting green into the 3.5 acre
site adjacent to the club’s driving range,
without negatively impacting the wetland
that cuts through the property.
After studying the land with USM men’s
golf coach Jerry Weeks, golf course
architect Nathan Crace, ASGCA Associate,
proposed to make best use of the space
available by designing a long meandering
short-game green near the middle of
the property, that can be approached by
fairways on both sides.
One fairway extends from the short
game green toward the northwest corner,
giving players up to 110 yards to play
shots into the green. The other fairway
goes in the opposite direction, towards
the club’s chipping green and practice
tee. With two fairways, players have more
practice options, and can take shots to
the green from multiple different angles,
distances, lies and elevations.
Originally a large drainage pipe was
planned for the lowest area of the land,
which would have allowed for that part of
the site to be used for added fairway and
a new road to the maintenance facility.
The discovery of the wetland forced the
relocation of that original road, but meant
that funds planned for the large drainage
pipe could be saved. Crace adapted his
plans accordingly, improving the wetland
to create an aesthetic feature that not only
provides separation between the short
game green and the new putting green,
but also creates a natural filter for runoff.
The completed short game area is a
resounding success. The USM men’s
team won their first event after the facility
opened, with players crediting their
success to the improved practice available
on the new facility.
USM short game facility
Location: Hattiesburg,
Mississippi
Golf course architect:
Nathan Crace, ASGCA Associate
Watermark Golf/
Nathan Crace Design
Project summary: The University
of Southern Mississippi wanted
a new short game facility on
a 3.5 acre parcel of land
at Hattiesburg CC that was
wooded and dissected by
wetland. The design made the
wetland a key feature of the
facility and incorporated two
fairways to maximize the options
available for practice.
Partners: Landscapes Unlimited
(construction); Rain Bird
(irrigation); Advanced Drainage
Systems (pipe)
Short game success
A new short game practice facility for the University of Southern Mississippi
men’s and women’s golf teams is helping to improve their performances
Photos: Nathan Crace
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