By Design – Issue 50 // Fall 2020

14 LAND USE T he National Golf Federation has this year reported a 15 percent increase in nine-hole rounds, as a percentage of total rounds. So, with more flexibility in our schedules, as 2020 unexpectedly provided, we’re more inclined to opt for a ‘quick hit’ of golf. Many operators are well aware of the desire among golfers to have an alternative to the traditional 18-hole round, but it’s not immediately clear how they can integrate such an option into their existing property. Here are five clubs that, with the guidance of a golf course architect, have arrived at a creative solution to broaden their offering. A golden triangle On the outskirts of Boston lies Wellesley CC, a private club with an 18-hole course and a design pedigree that includes ASGCA founding fathers Donald Ross and Wayne Stiles, and more recently ASGCA Past President Geoffrey Cornish. Mark Mungeam, ASGCA, formerly a partner in Cornish’s design firm, has continued to work with the club. When Wellesley mooted a desire to broaden its offering, Mungeam’s thoughts immediately turned to an unused eight-acre triangular parcel of land located between two existing holes at the southern tip of the property. “The parcel utilized was the only ‘open space’ available on the property,” says Mungeam. “It had not been part of the original nine- hole course designed by Donald Ross in 1910. In the early 1960s the course was expanded to 18 holes and this parcel was utilized for two new par four holes that were immediately disliked. “The club purchased some additional property, and by the late 1960s the two holes were abandoned, aside from one of the greens being retained for short game practice.” Aside from that green, the two holes had become overgrown with trees and became the dumping ground for old equipment and waste from grounds maintenance. It was clear to Mungeam that the land had potential, but how could he maximize that? “Wellesley is a very popular family club with a large number of members,” continues Mungeam. “The amount of member and guest play created limited opportunities With some creativity and ingenuity, small parcels of land can be transformed to add a new dimension to a golf club. Richard Humphreys explains more. Photo: Ross Mungeam Watch this space