21 reward tee shot that plays straight ahead to a 14,500-square-foot double green we created by combining the new green with the old fourth green – now the thirteenth.” Ross and Craig were able to create a 109-yard par three at the eleventh that plays across a valley to the original first hole’s green. “This change allowed us to dramatically increase the variety in the par threes,” said Ross. “Previously, there was only a 23-yard difference between the longest and shortest par threes. Now, there’s a 131yard difference! “The last puzzle piece required clearing a large section of forest to create an epic downhill tee shot for the long par-four twelfth hole, which continues out to the original green site for this hole. This allowed us to gain 50 yards while also opening up one of the best views on the course and providing the golfer with the chance to really let one rip!” Twelve greens are in new locations, while the other six remain where they are but have been substantially renovated, apart from the ninth. A couple of the biggest changes to greens include moving the fifteenth’s 50 yards right across a deep valley and lengthening the seventeenth’s by 60 yards. “The greens we inherited were 3,700-square-foot ovals with five-toseven per cent back-to-front slopes, and thatch so thick you could bounce on them like a trampoline,” said Ross. “Having the opportunity to rebuild all the greens was a gamechanger for this project. It turned what would’ve been a nice story about a solid, low-budget renovation into a golf course that I believe can challenge for the title of best public course in Kentucky.” The new greens are on average about 70 per cent larger than what existed before. “They are full of internal contour, sneaky false fronts, and tucked pin positions,” said Ross. “Most slope off in multiple directions which will provide great variety in the dayto-day setup.” The project has seen 25 bunkers added to the course (10 fairway and 15 greenside). Ross says his highlight bunkers are the 168-square-foot pot bunker fronting the eleventh green, the 4,235-square-foot hazard (pictured) that separates the second and fourth greens, and the 12-foot-deep pit that guards the left side of the fifteenth green. Fifty new tees have also been added. “We were able to improve the f low and sightlines on the course by making simple, slight adjustments to the angles of the holes,” said Ross. “This was accomplished most notably on holes nine and seventeen. There are also a few alternate tees located throughout that will give some f lexibility in course setup.” Photo: Ross Golf Design The new routing has seen the two nines switched and 12 greens moved
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