Mike DeVries and Frank Pont have started restoration work at Bloomfield Hills Country Club in Michigan, USA.

In 2019, the two Clayton, DeVries & Pont partners were retained by the club to consult on a restoration of its course, which is thought to be the last remaining course in America to have been designed solely by Harry Colt.

The pair’s long-term plan includes rebuilding four greens (one being the practice green), restoring bunkers to a Colt style, expanding the practice range, and returning the third and fourth holes to a configuration more in keeping with Colt’s original routing.

LaBar Golf Renovations began work on 3 August with the enlargement of the practice range and drainage work. Tree clearing and grubbing are also under way for the creation of a new joint fairway for the first and eighteenth holes, which will roll away from the clubhouse as a continuous swath of closely mown ground interspersed with bunkers.

Thielen Turf Irrigation is installing a new irrigation system, which has been designed by Mike Kuhn Associates.

Mike DeVries said: “I am delighted that we have finally started to turn our long-term plan into reality and I am only sorry that the current travel restrictions caused by the coronavirus pandemic mean that Frank is unable to be on site with us.”

Frank Pont added: “As the last remaining course in the United States to have been designed by Harry Colt alone, Bloomfield Hills has a very special place in the annals of North American golf architecture. I am very excited to be working on this project with Mike DeVries albeit, unfortunately, from afar at present.”

Work will be completed this autumn, with the course fully opening in spring 2021.