By Design - February 2019

14 | By Design H arris Park Midtown Sports & Activity Center is an organization in Kansas City, Missouri, dedicated to introducing urban children to, and keeping them interested in, outdoor sports . The park has areas to play basketball, sand volleyball and a miniature golf course. But facility director Chris Harris wanted to expand the opportunities to learn and play golf at the facility. Harris Park turned to Todd Clark, ASGCA, to design a new golf learning center on a one-and-a-half-acre plot of land. To compound the challenge, only half of the area was initially available for development. Clark created a short course layout that could be built in two phases. Designed like a pitch-and-putt course, it comprises three holes, each of which has three tees, plus a practice putting green. Harris Park has completed the first phase of construction: two holes with synthetic tees and greens, zoysiagrass fairways and fescue rough. Clark’s design includes two synthetic turf- lined greenside bunkers with fibers covering the sand, aimed to help minimize maintenance. “The two constructed greens are approximately 2,000 square feet each and are built on a gravel base, with a pad above that, and then synthetic turf with sand infill,” said Clark. “Four different pin locations were installed on each green to create variety. Three tees per hole will allow for a six-hole loop with tee shots ranging from around 25 yards to 60 yards. “When not being used as a two/six- hole course, the facility will be ideal for short game clinics. Players can hit shots into the greens both uphill and downhill, from zoysia fairways, fescue roughs and from the two sand bunkers.” The second phase will see another hole built, again with three tees, to complete the loop, plus the practice green, which can also function as a nine-hole putting course. Location: 4029 Wayne Kansas City, Missouri 64110 www.harrissportskc.org 913-568-6317 Golf course architect: Todd Clark, ASGCA www.cegolfdesign.com Project summary: Todd Clark, ASGCA, designed a golf facility on a small plot of land for Harris Park Midtown Sports & Activity Center in Kansas City, introducing inner-city youth to the sport. Partners: Viridity Golf Construction; Van Wall Equipment (John Deere machinery); Midwest Section PGA Harris Park ASGCA DESIGN EXCELLENCE HARRIS PARK Getting into golf Flexible facility on small plot of land introduces urban children to golf Photo: Harris Park