13 cars and people on public streets and neighbouring parcels. “The masterplan includes reorienting these boundary holes to direct play more inwardly. In doing so, we recommended the removal of dozens of trees – many from the left side of boundary-hole fairways, to better invite safe play away from the streets. “Though they are certainly an integral part of any golfing landscape, trees on a golf course do pose a multitude of problems. They compete with turfgrass for nutrients, sunshine and water. As they grow, they compete ever more effectively – and obscure play ever more dramatically.” Around 200 trees will be removed, including several cottonwoods that obstruct play. Tree removal will also open long views across the course and allow for more connectivity between holes. This will be evidenced by clearing trees in corridors between holes one and eighteen, seven and eight, and thirteen and fifteen. “On a tight property like CC Lincoln, excessive tree plantings also give a feeling of diminished scale,” said Quitno. “By selectively removing trees in key areas, without sacrificing safety, we can open up long views, giving it more visual connectivity and appeal, while making it seem more expansive than perhaps it is.” The architect has also reconsidered teeing areas. “The tee shot is the only shot that we as architects can even remotely control,” said Quitno. “How and where the hole is played after that will vary for every golfer. So, what we call ‘drive equity’ is our main goal, including the staggering of tees so that everyone is hitting their drives into the same general landing areas, with the more forward tees offset in some areas to have more chance to dodge the hazards.” Quitno identified that the forward tees were playing too long for the club’s shorter hitters, so his plan addresses that issue by shifting them further down the fairway. He also recognised that the distances between tees was too large, so he is aiming to position them so all abilities have a suitable tee. For those playing from the back tees around 100 yards will be added to the course length. The club also wanted to increase car parking capacity, so Quitno has reconfigured holes five and six to create space for 38 new parking spaces and to expand the practice facilities. By moving a maintenance access road to the north, more space for employee parking will be created. Jake Muhleisen, club president, said: “The proposed changes take our most valuable piece of real estate, our greens, to the next level. Each proposed upgrade would put our club in a more favourable position in a competitive golf market for the next 30 years.” TEE BOX Quitno’s plan calls for trees to be cleared from corridors, including at the first and eighteenth (pictured) Image: Harris Kalinka “ By selectively removing trees in key areas, without sacrificing safety, we can open up long views, giving it more visual connectivity”
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