By Design - Winter 2019

19 Moving forward The approach worked at Bonnie Briar, too; membership numbers increased, as did the club’s profile through the early years of Heatwole’s master plan. “With a stronger membership and better financial situation, the club then realized it was time to update the master plan as we began to think about course improvements for the next ten years. As we developed phase two of the master plan, we began to focus on the playability of the golf course, the restoration of the bunkers, rebuilding a few greens that did not match the original style, the expansion of a few of the existing greens, irrigation and drainage improvements, as well as adding new short game practice areas.” ASGCA Past President Tom Clark, ASGCA, references his work at the 27- hole Shangri-La Golf Club in Monkey Island, Oklahoma. “We would work on one nine, leaving 18 holes in play, then move onto the next nine, and so on.” Having successfully completed renovation work on all 27 holes, the club is now considering adding a new par-three course and a driving range. “This would take some pressure off the current 27 holes and will also provide an entertainment venue for the newly completed hotel and its guests,” says Clark. “The final piece of the puzzle will be an additional nine holes to bring the course back to its original 36 holes. “A long-term approach was absolutely the right method for the club as it kept the membership happy. When the owner took over the golf facility with 36 holes, I think he had 50 members. Now they have 600—it has worked out tremendously well.” “All clubs benefit from solid long- range planning programs,” says Rogers. “It’s important for the club to understand where they’re going and why, so they can remain steadfast, focused, consistent and fiscally responsible. Leadership at private clubs is also ever-changing and by having a solid plan adopted and in place, it becomes the roadmap that is deferred to, no matter how many times the faces change. After all, if the club makes an investment to develop such a plan, it’s like throwing that money away to go in a different direction.” • To find an ASGCA member near your club, visit asgca.org/architects . ASGCA Past President Tom Clark, ASGCA, has renovated all 27 holes at Shangri-La Golf Club in Oklahoma. The project has been so successful that the club is considering adding another nine and a par-three layout Photos: Mike Klemme

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