Golf Course Architecture - Issue 58 October 2019

41 Photo: MDCM Photography– Matthew Majka portions of the site. The large oak and pine trees in the bordering preserve provide a feeling of enclosure on this portion of the course. The on-grade subtly-contoured sixteenth green is one I’m excited to putt on when fully grown in. The reachable par-five seventeenth has one of the tighter tee shots on the course, which opens to an oversized second landing area. Large oak trees guard the left-hand approach while a spine from the right helps guide players to a green with a singular small pot bunker tucked against the wetland. “There is a big contrast to how the two courses finish,” continued Johnson. “The first course ends on a big, bold, visually stimulating par five. Sweeping contours and large bunkers create a heroic finish. The second course, in its own heroic style, ends with a short, reachable par four. Meaningful width was created by placing a select number of small yet strategically-placed bunkers that set up various angles of approach into the small and subtly-tilted green.” Johnson says that greens on the second course are smaller than those on the first, with green surrounds, feeding slopes and fairway contours also more nuanced. The bold slopes on the first layout help to feed balls from one side of the fairway to the other, or on to the green. In contrast, Johnson said: “Subtle landforms, lows, ridges, in addition to directing your ball onto or away from the target, serve a dual purpose and will, on occasion, open up or slightly obscure your view to the target depending on what side of the fairway you are on.” The reachable par-four eighteenth features bunkers that set up various angles of approach into the small and subtly-tilted green The latest issue of By Design magazine – produced for the American Society of Golf Course Architects by the team responsible for GCA – sees ASGCA members sharing their views and experiences of designing golf courses for US academic institutions. “We have certainly considered all players, but have paid closer attention to how the course might be set up for high level play when needed,” said Scot Sherman, about his layout for Love Golf Design that is in construction at Boar’s Head Resort, which will be the home course for University of Virginia golf teams. “We are trying hard to make golfers think. After all, isn’t that the point of the college experience?” The article also includes insights from Steve Smyers, who is in progress with Indiana University’s new course, and Chris Cochran, part of the Nicklaus Design team that is renovating Florida State University’s course. Drew Rogers, Tripp Davis, Nathan Crace, Mike Hurdzan and Mike Gogel also contribute. “I’m not sure I’ll ever have a more personal attachment to a project,” says University of Kentucky graduate Gogel, on returning to design The Jayhawk Club. To read more, download the latest issue and subscribe to By Design via www.asgca.org “We are trying hard to make golfers think” GOOD READ