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W
hen a new golf course is
designed, it’s usually done
with the excellent player in
mind, players who have faster swing
speeds, thus can hit the ball further,”
said golf course architect Jan Bel Jan,
ASGCA, in an interview in the Spring
2016 issue of
By Design
.
But what about the players that
can’t hit the ball as far? Why should
they miss out? It’s a question more
architects and golf clubs are asking
themselves, and it’s why many are
looking to introduce multiple tee
location initiatives, like the Longleaf
Tee System, to existing golf courses.
As demonstrated at Longleaf Golf
& Family Club, offering players
a broader range of tee locations
presents multiple benefits. Not
only does it open up access to more
golfers, regardless of their ability,
but it is also proving an innovative,
practical and affordable catalyst for
growth. In general, it helps courses to
increase the number of rounds played
and improve pace of play. These
factors combine to help golf courses
improve their operating results.
When it worked with the Longleaf
Golf & Family Club to bring in the
seven-tee system, U.S. Kids Golf
Foundation believed that ASGCA
could make its model even better
and help it to be implemented at
golf courses, in a way that properly
considers the club’s individual
circumstances.
ASGCA members have long been
working with their clients to provide
teeing solutions that can help golf
facilities attract and retain golfers.
They are uniquely qualified to design
and oversee construction of tee
complexes at golf courses in North
America and around the world. And
it’s why many have already been
employed by clubs to help introduce
multiple tee systems.
“ASGCA members must help clients
determine what is best,” says Bruce
Charlton, ASGCA. “Many courses
will not be able to afford to build so
many tees and that’s fine. Others may
combine formal teeing grounds with
thoughtful cut-outs in the fairway.
And still others may use these ideas
for better operations.”
Like the Longleaf Golf & Family
Club, many other courses have
employed the services of ASGCA
members to introduce their own
multiple tee initiatives. They include
Medinah No. 2 in Medinah, Illinois
(with Rees Jones, ASGCA Fellow, and
Steve Weisser, ASGCA), Sugar Creek
Country Club in Sugar Land, Texas
(with Jeff Blume, ASGCA), Simsbury
Farms Golf Course in Simsbury,
Connecticut (with John Harvey,
ASGCA), and Pelican’s Nest Golf Club
at Pelican Landing in Bonita Springs,
Florida (with Jan Bel Jan, ASGCA).
•
If you would like to introduce Longleaf
Tees at your club, contact your local
ASGCA architect. You can find their
details
at asgca.org/architects .TEE LOCATION PROJECTS
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By Design
Multiple tee location initiatives are proving
a great way for clubs to appeal to players of
all abilities and ages. It’s why many leading
courses are forging ahead with their own
plans to introduce them. We report on
some of the most prominent developments.
“
Mixing
it up
Photo: Hunter PR