By Design - Spring 2020

DIGEST 9 Photo: KemperSports New golf course New Vietnam course to open next year C onstruction work is in progress on a golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus II, ASGCA, at Royal Golf Club near Hanoi, Vietnam. Nicklaus Design’s Jim Wagner, ASGCA, said: “One of our tasks was to create a unique and challenging golfing experience that would have significant contrast to the existing course.” The Queen’s Course, which is expected to open in June 2021, will become the second course at the club, joining the King’s Course, designed by Peter Rousseau. Renovation Renovation under way at Sequoyah National A SGCA Past President Robert Trent Jones, Jr., ASGCA Fellow, has returned to Sequoyah National Golf Club in Whittier, North Carolina, to oversee a bunker renovation and regrassing project. According to the club, the renovations will provide better playing conditions for year-round playability on the layout, which was originally designed in 2009 by Jones, alongside professional golfer Notah Begay III. “We’re investing in the future of the golf course by upgrading the playing surfaces and bunkers,” said Sequoyah National golf board chairman Curtis Wildcat. “With these improvements, Sequoyah National solidifies its place as one of the best mountain courses in the southeast.” Capillary Concrete will be installed in the bunkers, while the fairways, tees and green surrounds will be converted to Zeon Zoysia turf. The course will remain open during the project, with the renovations impacting play on a few holes each day. Work is scheduled for completion in July 2020. A bunker renovation and regrassing project is in progress at Sequoyah National Golf Club in North Carolina Photo: Nicklaus Design Renovation Black Diamond Ranch completes bunker rebuild D avid Whelchel, ASGCA, has completed a bunker rebuild on the Quarry course at Black Diamond Ranch in Lecanto, Florida. “There are almost four acres of sand on the course and after 32 years, they were starting to need a facelift,” said Whelchel. “Many of the bunkers have been changed over the years, and some have even been taken out. We are trying to put some of those back and make others more playable and maintainable as they have got very steep as a result of major drainage issues.” Photo: Black Diamond Ranch