Golf Course Architecture - Issue 58 October 2019

24 TEE BOX Ebert studies Colt plans for Hamilton renovation FROM THE ARCHI VE The UK-based golf course architecture firm of Mackenzie & Ebert has started renovation work at Hamilton Golf & Country Club in Ontario, Canada. Planning work has included a thorough study of historic materials in the club’s archives, which included many of Harry Colt’s original sketches. Colt’s layout of eighteen holes, now known as the West and South nines, opened in 1916. The East nine was added in 1975 by Robbie Robinson. “The plan is to reconstruct each nine in turn, keeping the members playing eighteen holes throughout, albeit for some periods to nine temporary greens while the new greens fully establish,” said Martin Ebert. “Reconstructing the bunkers is a significant aspect of the project. Over the years, the bunkers have become very refined. Hence, the bunker style to be adopted for this project will be rougher, in line with Colt’s original intentions, with fescue edges, while acknowledging that the players of today demand rather more in the way of a manicured finish.” Work on the East nine aims to result in holes that fit more closely to the character of the original Colt course. Hamilton hosted the RBC Canadian Open for the sixth time in 2019. With the tournament scheduled to return to the club in 2023, the renovation project is expected to be complete by 2021. Images: Hamilton Golf & Country Club