64 HOL ING OUT Golf for all Texas municipal will redesign its short course and practice facilities to cater for the entire town With an increasing amount of people opting to play shorter rounds of golf (the National Golf Federation found that the number of shorter rounds as a percentage of total rounds played in 2020 had risen by over 15 percent), it is no surprise that golf facilities are paying a bit more attention to their short layouts. For some, like Lozano Golf Center in Corpus Christi, Texas, their short layout is in fact their only layout. Earlier this year, the city hired Art Schaupeter, following his work on the Tower Tee facility in St Louis, to redesign Lozano’s nine holes and practice facilities. “This is an opportunity to upgrade the only public-access practice range in town as well as the only short course,” said Schaupeter, who is expected to begin work in November 2022. “There is a lot of opportunity for increased use of this executive course since it is the only alternative to a full 18-hole round.” Schaupeter’s plans are considerate of both low-handicappers and high-handicappers. He will design ‘micro-slopes’ throughout the course, especially around greens, to create strategic challenge for the stronger players, while the three par-four holes will all be relatively short to keep the course playable. “Greens will be lowered and reshaped so that they are generally larger more undulating surfaces,” said Schaupeter. “This will allow for a greater variety of hole locations. “The majority of the course will be mowed at fairway height. Balls will be easy to locate, and there will be minimal hazards, with only six small bunkers, few trees, no water and only one lateral hazard area that runs alongside two holes.” Schaupeter’s work at the practice facility includes widening the range to accommodate more hitters. It will also be reshaped so target greens can be created in addition to a new shortgame practice area. This two-acre area will include a large practice green, chipping area with two greens, two bunkers, pitching range, and it will have lights (and so will the short course). GCA Read more about the Lozano Golf Center plans on www.golfcoursearchitecture.net Image: Art Schaupeter
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