Golf Course Architecture - Issue 60, April 2020

TEE BOX Dusenberry and Ramsay to restore Emmett layout at Farmington FROM THE ARCHI VE Golf course architect Matt Dusenberry and golf course superintendent Scott Ramsay are in the process of restoring architectural features and returning firm and fast conditions to the turf of the Devereux Emmett layout at the Country Club of Farmington in Connecticut. “We will be using Emmett’s 1921 plan and 1934 aerial photo as guidance for renovation and restoration improvements,” said Dusenberry. “Improvements are being considered carefully and there will be a phased approach. This allows the club to limit disruption to play and be sensitive to capital expenditures.” Ramsay has joined Farmington from the Yale Golf Course, where he spent over 15 years that included leading a transformation of the layout. “At Yale Golf Course, we were fortunate to spend many days walking the course with Scott,” said Dusenberry. “It’s an understatement to call it a bold piece of architecture and it was often a point of inspiration for myself and my design partners. If we thought we were doing something too bold or different, we’d revisit the Yale course and say ‘nope, we haven’t even come close’.” Farmington green chair Geoff Manton said: “Our club has started on an exciting re-discovery and restoration of our 1920s Devereux Emmett design and Scott will be an essential part of that process. We are peeling back layers to reveal features and restore firm and bouncy turf conditions that allow the architecture to shine.” The first phase of the project is under way and includes tree removal, revisiting mowing lines for greens, fairways and tees, and drainage improvements. 36