TEE BOX 28 Whitman, Axland & Cutten (WAC Golf) has completed the first phase of a renovation project at Brantford Golf & Country Club in Ontario, Canada. The club commissioned WAC Golf partners Rod Whitman and Keith Cutten in 2018 to study its course and recommend renovations. Their proposals focus on improving infrastructure, ensuring the course is fit for modern players, and bringing back a look and feel that celebrates the original design style. Brantford was laid out by Thompson, Cumming and Thompson – a partnership of brothers Stanley and Nicol Thompson and George Cumming, the head professional of Toronto Golf Club – in 1919, following the purchase of land to expand the historic club’s nine-hole course above the Grand River. A major renovation by Robbie Robinson in the 1960s included some rerouting, new greens and the addition of fairway bunkers. “In combination with holistic irrigation system upgrades by the experienced Tim Fredericks, WAC Golf ’s plan focuses on improving the quality, playability, continuity, sustainability and maintainability of the golf course,” said Cutten, adding that the work comprises “a thoughtful combination of green expansions and surrounds upgrades, improved mow lines and angles of play, and additional teeing areas. “Furthermore, a bunker style more consistent with the course’s design pedigree will be restored. The strategic value of the bunkering scheme will be greatly enhanced, yet they will be more maintenance friendly and accessible for golfers, plus the visual impact of bunkers will be heightened.” The first phase of WAC Golf ’s work has focused on rebuilding greens and bunkers at the sixth (pictured, below), sixteenth and seventeenth holes, which the architects felt were the most flawed. Work will continue in 2022 and is expected to be complete in autumn. Image: WAC Golf WAC Golf renovation to bring original design character back to Brantford Photo: WAC Golf
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