39 TEE BOX Photos: Jerry Rossi Rogers’ Kenosha renovation enters tenth year Drew Rogers’ renovation work at Kenosha Country Club in Wisconsin enters a tenth year as he continues to re-engage the original work by architect Donald Ross. The course was built in 1922, and it has largely remained unchanged. “It is rare to see so many features and forms that have endured over 100 years, essentially in their original state,” said Rogers. “Of course, the layout had succumbed to significant tree planting, which was perhaps the most impacting influence on its design evolution. As they matured, hole corridors tightened and fairways narrowed, with many of the interesting ground features and playing angles completely negated.” Rogers has overseen a tree management programme over several years. “As the trees were slowly thinned and removed, the course with its many intriguing features began to present itself once again, begging for more specific restorative treatments,” said Rogers. Since beginning his work for the club in 2015, Rogers has also introduced fescue areas, reinstated original green shapes and pin positions, recovered fairway alignments, renovated bunkers closer to their original design and replaced the irrigation system and bridges. “Reinstatement has been the order and unlike many so-called restorations, at Kenosha we really didn’t have to dig too deep to understand the original intent,” said Rogers. “It was already there. All we had to do was uncover it and brush it off. Of course, we have modified some tees to address modern play needs, and we shifted a few bunkers so they would better impact today’s length, but overall, it’s amazing how well this course has stood the test of time. Anyone who appreciates Ross’s work will be absolutely fascinated by this place.” In 2025, he will execute some minor work on the par-four thirteenth and parthree seventeenth greens. “Today, these greens only support one or two hole locations at best, rendering the majority of the surfaces unusable,” he said. “The other greens are really quite good… plenty of interesting, playful forms that are consistent with Ross’s work and the identity of the course in Kenosha.” Rogers has restored bunkers and greens, and overseen gradual tree removal
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