Golf Course Architecture - Issue 61, July 2020

31 What were your goals for the South course? We redesigned and rebuilt the South course to provide a different type of challenge for the members to enjoy. It was designed to be a golf course that all members can manage and be tested on a continual basis. The objective was to go ‘back to the future’ with the implementation of a classic style design while at the same time updating each hole with an individualistic challenge. How has the course changed? The original layout was well conceived with ample space and water hazards in the appropriate locations. The greens were quite elevated, the bunkers were large and often located in the front of the greens and there was very little fairway movement. Our design team changed the look and playing characteristics of the entire layout. The greens now vary in size, elevation and contouring. The approaches provide more shot options for the ground game and the introduction of greenside chipping areas allows for a variety of recovery shots that can be played. There is now more flexibility with the addition of new tees. The players have seven different tee options to choose from and the course can play from 4,129 yards to 7,006 yards. The windswept-appearing bunkers are now more scattered and appropriately located and the total sand area has diminished in size. Some water features were relocated to reduce the penal aspect of the hazard. The entire golf course was planted in celebration Bermuda grass so the playing characteristics are the same as the East and North courses. What was the key to making the project run smoothly and succeed? The success of this project can be attributed to the way it was run from the start by Troon Golf, the management team in charge of BallenIsles Country Club. The planning, engineering, the golf course design, the approvals, the budgeting, supervision and the member communication was extremely well managed by them. It took several years from start to finish, but all the planning ultimately paid off with the result being an improved golf course that is now universally approved by the membership. The redesign of greenside chipping areas, like here on the par-three eleventh, allows for a variety of recovery shots Photo: Larry Lambrecht