By Design - Winter 2018

DIGEST 7 Renovation Nicklaus Design renovates Champion course P GA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, has reopened its Champion course following the completion of a US$1 million renovation project by Nicklaus Design. Nicklaus’s senior design associate Chris Cochran, ASGCA—working alongside the club’s director of agronomy, Brad Nelson—has overseen a number of changes, including the removal of palmetto palms on the right side of the opening hole and the left side of the ninth, giving players more options both from the tee and for approaches into greens. This work will also improve spectator flow during the annual Honda Classic event on the PGA Tour. Green complexes have been rebuilt, shaped and grassed with TifEagle bermuda. Over 14,000 square feet of putting surface has been recaptured, an average of 800 square feet per green, returning the greens to Nicklaus’s original designs that were implemented 16 years ago. “We are honored to have worked on a course with such a storied history with both Jack Nicklaus, ASGCA Fellow, and his design company,” said Cochran. “We took the advice of the best players in the game and made one of the great layouts in the USA even stronger.” The Champion course was originally designed by by George Fazio and Tom Fazio, ASGCA Fellow, and opened in 1981. Nicklaus redesigned it in 2002 and again in 2014, when the par-four fourteenth was significantly altered. Photo: PGA National Resort & Spa PGA National has reopened its Champion course following renovation work HERE ARE LINKS TO OTHER RECENT “TARTAN TALKS,” NOW FEATURING OVER 20 EPISODES: • Brandon Johnson, ASGCA, talks about how he developed a zest for golf . • Art Schaupeter, ASGCA , answers questions about the opening of TPC Colorado . “To me, golf architecture is an art” CHR I S WI LCZYNSK I , ASGCA In the latest podcast from Golf Course Industry ’s Tartan Talks series, Chris Wilczynski, ASGCA, discusses the execution of a master plan and starting his own golf course architecture firm. Wilczynski described his process of master planning a project: “I usually analyse the course; form, meet and give my initial thoughts to the committee; develop concepts and ideas; and then meet with the committee to get feedback and consensus.” When asked about executing a master plan, he said: “They’re a good roadmap that allows for continuity, but I don’t think they should be so rigid that you’d have to follow exact. We can put good plans together, but you have to allow for adaptation in the field, for things to change and evolve based on what we see, and what the current conditions are at that time. To create that art, there has to be some flexibility.” Wilczynski spoke about starting his own firm: “I sell the job, service the job, draw, do computer work, invoicing and accounting. I’m not good at all those things. It’s a challenge, they’re a lot of hats that I have to wear. But it’s rewarding knowing I can do it, and I’m responsible for the outcome and success.” Listen to the full Tartan Talk at golfcourseindustry.com .