By Design – Issue 50 // Fall 2020

15 Photo: crdit for children and beginners to use the course. I felt that a smaller course would provide a great place for kids to play and learn absent of the intimidation of the championship course. It could also serve as a greatly expanded short game practice area for members” Mungeam conceived a par-three ‘Carriage’ course, with six holes ranging from 65 to 150 yards, as well as a new practice putting green. “My goal was to build a fun facility that created options in hole length and shotmaking. Although five holes fit best, I squeezed a 65-yard hole in behind the first green to make it six. I liked the aspect of having three tee markers set at different lengths and angles so one could make three loops using the different markers to create an 18-hole course, if desired.” Community appeal When Ben duPont and Don Wirth purchased the three-course DuPont CC in Wilmington, Delaware, in 2018, their vision included the creation of a unique practice complex that would help to increase the appeal of the club, and grow the game. The club has a strong community legacy, having originally been built as an amenity for DuPont Company employees, and with roots that trace back to the nineteenth century. “The new owners were looking to keep the facility a community amenity,” says Rob Wirth, the club’s CEO. The club’s driving range was located on a remote part of the property, at the far end of the Nemours course, which meant members had to take a short drive if they wanted to practice. The owners turned to Sanford Golf Design to propose a concept Mark Mungeam, ASGCA, has created a six-hole par-three course for Wellesley CC on land that was formerly overgrown ground