By Design - February 2020

14 | By Design A rt Schaupeter, ASGCA, was hired by developer Heron Lakes Investments to create a new 18-hole golf course that would work as the centerpiece of an 800- acre master-planned community. The owners also reached an agreement with the TPC Network for the course to join the chain operated by the PGA Tour and to host a top-tier professional golf tournament. Hosting a PGA Tour event added multiple new considerations for the design of the course, including how best to accommodate spectators, hospitality tents, parking and other items of event infrastructure. But keeping everday golfers at the forefront of his thoughts, Schaupeter designed TPC Colorado with seven sets of tees—playable from 4,157-7,991 yards. Greens vary in size, from 5,000- 11,500 square feet, and have been designed so that there are plenty of pin positions available. Width was also important for his design. There are 55 acres of fairway which are upwards of 60-70 yards wide on many holes. “It enhances playability by minimizing the potential for lost balls and helps to speed up play,” says Schaupeter. “The wide fairways create a larger range of potential angles of approach to the green, which, when combined with the diversity of shapes, sizes and contouring of the green surfaces, will add to the daily variety and interest in play,” he adds. “The green surfaces have subtle breaks and plateaus that enhance the need to learn and understand how best to approach them depending upon the hole location at the time. Much like the golf holes themselves, they are very individual in character.” Schaupeter also incorporated a variety of bunker styles, including sod-walled hazards, for more strategic variety and interest. “‘Put the golf in the golfer’s hands’ means creating a golfing experience in which the golfers discover the course for themselves, making active decisions on how they want to play each hole,” says Schaupeter. “This will provide a fun, engaging and adventurous experience for the golfer, putting them in a positive mindset throughout the round as they dictate and discover the golf on their terms.” ASGCA DESIGN EXCELLENCE TPC COLORADO Designed for all With wide fairways and tees ranging from just over 4,000 to nearly 8,000 yards, TPC Colorado is playable for the everyday golfer as well as PGA Tour professionals.