By Design – Issue 49, Summer 2020

Like many clubs, Park Ridge Country Club near Chicago has taken such steps: “We have adopted new practices and policies within our golf operation and the Park Ridge community,” says head professional Luke Hemelstand. “For the first time in club history, we implemented a tee sheet with the ability for advanced reservations. The tee sheet has allowed us to manage the flow of members on the property, while maintaining and managing social distancing guidelines set in place.” Thinking ahead But Park Ridge had gone a step further, too, turning the disruption of a forced period of course closure into opportunity, by bringing forward renovation work that was originally scheduled for fall. Working with ASGCA Past President Greg Martin, the club pushed the button on a project on its back nine. “The update is based upon aging infrastructure,” says Martin. “The demographics are changing and the changes to the golf course must accommodate those shifts in play, strategy and golfer expectation. “Addressing the infrastructure is the basis of all other aspects of design. The better the infrastructure, the more able the club will be able to respond and recover.” Martin goes on to say that now could be a good time for clubs to consider its long-term vision. “A good master improvement plan will have considerations for phasing options,” he says. “There are good ways to do this and there are bad ways. Every club is different.” Old Memorial Golf Club in Tampa, Florida, also advanced a course renovation project—from May to March. ASGCA Past President Steve Smyers says: “The coronavirus has had a significant impact on the world. It has affected every person either directly or indirectly. Old Memorial is no different. Due to its sizable national membership and the risks of traveling, there was an unprecedented number of cancellations in golf rounds, lodging, and dining.” Smyers says that moving the project to an earlier date not only enabled it to “get ahead of the rainy season” but to “allow the course superintendent Sam Muller more time to grow and prepare the finished product for the season in the fall.” DeLozier says that now is a good time for clubs to work with a golf course architect. “Most people are becoming more receptive to—or tolerant of—change that makes sense,” he says. “Golf course architects watch the play of the game continually. They monitor and understand technological advancement. They observe new shotmaking techniques on the Tour and elsewhere to see what applications are needed for practice and for on-course flow management. “Architects help a club thrive by keeping it relevant to golfers. Relevance is the key to engagement and the emotional commitment many golfers make to the game. Defining spaces and uses, introducing new tactical solutions, and making care and upkeep ever more manageable are keys.” DeLozier’s advice for golf clubs post- COVID is: “Control the things that you can control. Adaptability for all parties is the key for the future. Now is the time for clubs and architects to come together. Architects can propose cost-effective designs and ideas to make clubs more successful.” The power of practice “Practice will grow after the pandemic spreads as people seek outdoor recreation in somewhat isolated locations,” continues DeLozier. “Practice facilities will need to expand to enable more tee space—when possible—and social distancing will require ease-of-access considerations. “New practice techniques and technological capabilities require more small-cove-type spaces where one can work on his or her game in a quieter area with shot-specific training capabilities—like different types of shots and with real-course similarities.” Bob Randquist, chief operating officer of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, agrees that golf facilities will be concerned about maintaining social distancing on practice areas. “Architects can offer valuable insight for practice facility renovations GOLF POST-COVID Photo: Park Ridge Country Club 18 | By Design