Golf Course Architecture - Issue 61, July 2020

25 TEE BOX Work is in progress on a project to rediscover the ‘Cape’ features of the closing hole at Pine Hills in Wisconsin, following the club’s appointment of Drew Rogers as consulting architect. “The eighteenth doglegs around a fabulous ridge that is completely obscured by trees,” said Keith Robel, the club’s president. “With some repositioning of the tee boxes and some substantial tree removal, the bones of a dramatic Cape hole exist to deliver an incredible risk-reward hole to finish the course. It highlights one of the great land features of the course, opening views to the river valley below, and it fits more with the character of the rest of the course.” Rogers said: “The great thing about this concept is that the hole is already there – the natural features, the drama of elevation, the innate strategic values – we just have to expose them. While the work is rather light and simple, the effect will be exceedingly dramatic – really, a new hole in terms of classic architectural principles and providing inspired playing options.” Robel and Rogers hope to complete work on the eighteenth this autumn. “Phase one is probably the most important because it is being seen as the momentum builder for the longer- term improvements,” said Robel. “My appointment here is not to redo this course,” said Rogers. “My responsibility is to shine it, to fully expose its grandeur beyond what was previously thinkable. Sure, there will be a few adjustments here and there, but this work is not what I would coin as ‘renovation’, it is more of a very careful, well-guided, ongoing evolution.” Read more in our interview with Rogers and Robel at www.golfcoursearchitecture.net Cape hole is first step of ‘evolution’ at Pine Hills Above, the tenth hole at Pine Hills. Left, Rogers’ plans for the Cape-style eighteenth hole, which will be his first project on the course Photo: Pine Hills Country Club Image: Drew Rogers