Golf Course Architecture - Issue 59, January 2020

43 Tripp Davis has completed the fourth of five phases of renovation work at Rolling Hills Country Club in Wilton, Connecticut. The course was designed by Alfred Tull, who was formerly a construction coordinator for AW Tillinghast and Devereux Emmet, in 1960. “It is a beautifully routed course in the hills of Connecticut,” said Davis. “It just needed a little done to the details and style to really highlight the land and the strategic design opportunities.” Davis started work on a master plan in 2014. Bunker work was prioritised, because the liners were old, and has been in progress for the last four years. “The bunker renovation led to us doing many tees and reshaping approaches to greens and surrounds,” said Davis. “This year we rebuilt the sixth green, so it was in a better location visually, and from a safety standpoint. “The bunker work came out exceptionally nice visually, and their relocation makes the course a lot more fun to play. It is simply one of the prettiest courses we have ever been involved with – I am proud of the improved playing interest. Doing the work in phases has been fun because we get to see the members excited every spring to play what we did in the fall. They have been very gracious and appreciative, which is nice. “The fifth phase will be more tees and maybe another green, to reduce some slope and make it more visible from the approach shot,” said Davis. “Other than that green, most of our artistic work is done.” Davis and his shaper Jason Gold worked alongside contractor LaBar Golf’s project manager Chris Walick and Rolling Hills’ superintendent Glenn Perry. Tripp Davis completes bunker rebuild at Rolling Hills Photo: Tripp Davis