By Design - Fall 2019

16 | By Design UNIVERSITY GOLF DESIGN Jimmie Austin Golf Club at the University of Oklahoma with a tournament mindset. “Our approach was like when we are asked to produce championship golf, rather than being focused on playability for the average to higher handicap player. Ultimately, the objective became, and still is, to do whatever is necessary to make OU the best university golf facility in the country.” Drew Rogers, ASGCA, oversaw a renovation of the Big Blue course at the University Club of Kentucky, home to both the men’s and women’s golf teams. And while he says that his approach was not all that different from any other renovation endeavors, part of the brief was to “enhance the design to have a stronger strategic presence and length to challenge collegiate players.” Best practice In addition to a challenging golf course, universities are increasingly recognising that outstanding practice facilities are a way to give their teams a competitive advantage. At the University of Virginia, Sherman and the Love Golf Design team have made use of some unused land adjacent to the old layout for the creation of a new putting course, short course and practice areas. “A university the size of UVA attracts many people throughout the year who vacation, study, explore, collaborate and compete,” says Sherman. “Therefore, those involved in the golf planning process recognized it was valuable to provide golf venues for all.” A year after he renovated their Jimmie Austin Golf Club, Davis returned to the University of Oklahoma to create the four-hole ‘Ransom’ course. Davis says that one of the objectives for his work was to create the most well-rounded practice facilities for the golf teams. “The golf teams have their own indoor building, range tee hitting north, short game area and four-hole practice course.” Another institution that has made a considerable effort to improve its practice offerings is Florida State University, where Nicklaus Design has comprehensively redesigned and renovated the Don Veller Seminole golf course (see box). The course will reopen soon with extensive new practice facilities. “For the golf teams and its supporters, we have created a 12-hole par-three course that is designed so that it can be played in a multiple of ways,” says Chris Cochran, ASGCA, of Nicklaus Design. “Not only is it fun to play, but it has so much variety that it will be fantastic short game practice for everyone, including golf summer camp for juniors.” Mike Gogel, ASGCA, has just completed a renovation which has become The Jayhawk Club, used by the University of Kansas golf teams. “A new team building was constructed, which houses both teams’ locker rooms, both coach’s offices, lounge rooms, indoor putting and chipping green, indoor trackman simulator, club repair and seven bays,” says Gogel. There is also a short game practice area with three greens and fairways, greenside and Mike Gogel, ASGCA, recently completed The Jayhawk Club (above), where University of Kansas golf teams are based. The course at Ole Miss Golf Club (right), which is home to the University of Mississippi golf teams, was renovated by Nathan Crace, ASGCA Photo: Mike Gogel The everday golfer had to be able to maneuver around the course and have an enjoyable time doing so