E
stablished in 1955, Twin Oaks is
a member-owned country club
in Springfield, Missouri. With
its practice facility requiring an update,
the club was also keen to explore ways
in which it could encourage growth of
the game, by providing beginners and
juniors with opportunities to play.
With no additional land available,
Twin Oaks required a solution that
would make the best use of the space
occupied by the existing practice
area. It consulted Todd Clark, ASGCA
Associate, who proposed a new
‘convertible’ facility. His design allows
for a regular configuration that has a
teaching tee, chipping/approach/bunker
shot area, and a full driving range with
target greens. But the layout can also be
used as a short course with six holes
that vary in length from 50-to-120 yards.
Synthetic greens were used as they
could withstand both the daily use as
a practice range and also be smooth
for putting on once or twice a week.
The main practice tee was rebuilt with
improved alignment to the range, at an
increased size and with an all-weather
synthetic tee strip behind. The north
end of the range has another practice
tee and large mounding to screen
adjacent properties.
Clark says: “As more than just a
range for ‘beating balls’, a short
course can be a tremendous asset
to a private club to ensure the next
generation of golfers has access to the
course at an early age and skill level.”
Location:
Springfield, Missouri
Architect:
Todd Clark, ASGCA Associate
CE Golf Design
Project summary:
Twin Oaks CC worked with architect
Todd Clark, ASGCA Associate to
develop a dual purpose practice
facility that served as a driving range
but could also be configured as a short
course that would promote growth of
the game.
Partners:
Mid-America Golf and Landscape
SYNLawn
Toro
TWIN OAKS CC
Clark’s plans show the dual use of the area as a
practice facility (top) and six-hole short course
21
The range now has a large grass teeing area
with an all-weather synthetic strip behind
