Golf Course Architecture - Issue 65, July 2021

36 Kyle Franz reinstates ‘lost hole’ at Southern Pines Kyle Franz is nearing completion of a restoration project at Southern Pines Golf Club in North Carolina, with the transformed course expected to open in September. “The goal of this project has been to make the golf course feel as much like a Ross original, staying true to the well- preserved routing and trying to remove the superfluous elements that have been added over the decades,” said Franz. Work began after a change in ownership in July 2020 and is being completed in two phases. “Much of the property is transformed,” said Franz. “We have all the bunkers restored and you really get a good sense for Ross’s golf course and where we’re going with everything.” As well as transforming the course, Franz has also reinstated a par-three hole located left of the fourth green. Ross’s ‘lost hole’ – designed around 1911-13 and not part of the routing – was discovered while Franz was going through historic materials prior to the restoration. Franz has now designed a 120-yard hole, which also includes a sand green short of the main green, similar to what Ross originally designed. The lost hole can join up with holes one to four and 15-18 to create a potential nine-hole loop. “It was almost perfectly sitting there. They had an original connector hole and we realised this was a place that would be very easy to rebuild,” said Franz. “It just needed to be shaped back together. It is going to be a lot of fun!” It was with great sadness that we learned about the death – on 1 July in Paris, France – of golf consultant Richard Wax. Richard was one of a small group of important early advocates for Golf Course Architecture , having been involved in pre-launch meetings and enthusiastically encouraging the development of the publication. With an abundance of positivity his support continued over the years, and he contributed many articles, including the May 2020 interview with Gil Hanse about the development of the New course at Les Bordes. His career in golf included consultation on projects throughout Europe and in the Caribbean, India, Israel, South Africa and more. He worked with the Trent Jones family on many projects and also with former Trent Jones architect Kyle Phillips, notably on the development of both Kingsbarns and The Grove. “Once met, he was never forgotten,” said Phillips. “He connected with people and people with him. He had such a vivid imagination and youthful spirit. He always had a story to tell that made us all smile. He could find humour in everyday life and the most mundane activities.” Richard Wax Richard Wax, right, with Kyle Phillips at Kingsbarns, Scotland Photo: The Sky High Arts