Golf Course Architecture - Issue 80, April 2025

The global journal of golf design and development I SSUE 80 APRIL 2025

The boom in golf since the Covid-19 pandemic has seen the demographic profile of the game change significantly. In the US, the National Golf Foundation reports that the average age of golfers fell from 44.6 to 43.5 years between 2019 and 2024: that might not sound dramatic, but among nearly 27 million golfers, a fall of over a year shows a lot of younger people taking up the game. Among the wins for golf since the pandemic, a generational shift might just be the most significant (along with a gender shift: the number of women and girls playing has increased rapidly too). The days of being able to dismiss golf as a dying game for the elderly are past. One question that is, so far, unanswered, is what impact this passing of the generational torch might have on the way the game is played and thus how courses are designed. Few golfers can have failed to notice the ‘music on the course’ trend, which sets a lot of (mostly older) players’ teeth on edge. But perhaps this is just the most visible (or audible) sign of a move to a less traditional, more ‘modern’ golf. “Youth is very addicted to carts,” one friend told me. “The ‘bros’ are kind of disdainful of us old walkers in some places”. I can’t say for sure whether this is true across the world, but it isn’t the first time I have heard the suggestion that the ‘new golfers’ are less wedded to some of the game’s traditions than those of us who have played for decades might wish. Will it be the case that future golfers’ demands for golf carts, on-course entertainment and who knows what else will require a different style of course from what has gone before? Probably the more traditional – and often higher profile – clubs will retain their more traditional ambience, certainly for longer. Old guys like me probably won’t like the new world. But as John Maynard Keynes said, in the long run we are all dead. Young vs old WELCOME ADAM LAWRENCE 1

The Art and Science of Golf Course Architecture Nara Binh Tien Golf Club – Vietnam USA +1-707-526-7190 • golfplan@golfplan.com • www.golfplan.com Golfplan

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CONTENTS TEE BOX 8 Mackenzie & Ebert has completed a second phase of renovation work at Royal Birkdale, including the creation of a new par-three fifteenth hole (pictured above). Our Tee Box section also includes news of new courses in Hong Kong, Puerto Rico, Vietnam, Florida, South Carolina and Wisconsin. Cover photography courtesy of Royal Birkdale INSIGHT 30 Mike Gorman and Trent Jones explain how the Robert Trent Jones II approach to resort golf has evolved, driven by a resurgence in remote golf development. FEATURE 34 Adam Lawrence profiles some of the best illustrators of golf courses in the game’s history – both full-time artists and architects who draw or paint. 6

INTERVIEWS 42 With a portfolio that includes eight of the ten Open venues, Mackenzie & Ebert occupies an enviable position in the golf design industry. We speak with principal Martin Ebert to learn how they got there. 62 Dave Axland has worked alongside many talented architects, but what is his story? Richard Humphreys finds out. HOLING OUT 80 We close the issue by taking a look at the tree that was the talk of the 2025 Players Championship. ON SITE 50 The reconstruction of the nine-hole Maggie Hathaway course in Los Angeles is the golf industry at its best, says Adam Lawrence. 56 Toby Ingleton visits the South course at Apogee Club, the design debut for the partnership of Mike Davis and Tom Fazio II. REPORTS 70 Jeremy Pern and Gregori International are creating the first 18-hole course in Benin, on a site that includes a sacred grove and voodoo shrines. 74 Toby Ingleton reports on a Rees Jones renovation at the Waldorf Astoria Golf Club, located within Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. 78 Agronomist Alejandro Reyes and superintendent Thibaut Perez speak about the performance of Tahoma 31 bermuda following a regrassing at Golf de Cannes Mougins. 7

A new 18-hole golf course by Faldo Design has opened at PGA Silk Path Dong Trieu Golf & Country Club in the Quang Ninh province of Vietnam. The golf course is one part of a huge US$60 million project by resort developer Silk Path Group on a 320-acre site, 50 miles east of Hanoi. “The original landscape for the golf course was very severe and difficult to navigate,” said Kenny Nguyen, CEO of Silk Path Group. “There were a lot of pine trees, as well as fruit trees grown there by farmers. It was very difficult at first because we started construction during Covid and the Faldo Design team were not able to be there for site inspection, so everything was basically done on paper, photos or by videos. We also wanted to keep as many pine trees as possible because they were very big, beautiful and not able to be replanted. “We moved five million cubic metres of dirt during construction, and there are parts of the course with 30 to 40 metres of fill and some with 40 to 50 metres of cut. The most challenging part was balancing the cut and fill because we were not allowed to move dirt off site.” TEE BOX Eighteen-hole public layout has been created as part of a US$60m development east of Hanoi. New Faldo course opens at Silk Path club in Vietnam 8

Lead architect Andy Haggar has created tees to cater for juniors and shorter hitters as well as some back tees that will test the longer hitters and pros in tournaments. “Our main clientele is currently local golfers,” said Nguyen. “We are planning to expand our reach to tourists and organise junior and professional tournaments. If played from the wrong tees, the golf course can be extremely difficult, given the elevation changes… but those same elevation changes definitely make the layout a lot of fun.” One hole that is an early favourite among golfers is the fifteenth. “The short par-four fifteenth plays over water and uphill with a huge bunker situated across the middle of the fairway,” said Nguyen. “Huge pine trees flank both sides of the fairway. If golfers can hit drives with 230 yards of carry, the bunker will not be in play. If not, it is absolutely crucial to find the middle of the fairway. This is a risk and reward kind of hole. It is beautiful, too.” Silk Path is also underway with the construction of 75 villas and a 120-bedroom hotel, aimed at attracting golfers from around the world. 9 Photo: PGA Silk Path Dong Trieu Golf & Country Club The short par-four fifteenth at Silk Path Dong Trieu

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TEE BOX Royal Birkdale introduces new par three ahead of 2026 Open The second phase of renovation work at Royal Birkdale in Southport, England includes a new par three fifteenth hole (pictured). Mackenzie & Ebert has advised on a host of changes to the 10-time Open Championship venue, including redesigning the fifth and seventh, the removal of the existing fourteenth and the alteration of the existing par-five fifteenth to become the new fourteenth hole. The new par-three fifteenth plays in a completely different direction to the club’s other par threes (the fourth, seventh and twelfth). “The course lacked a par three where players could run the ball onto the green, so the new fifteenth is a longer par three, often played strongly downwind to a long green,” said Neil Cruickshank, chair of course at Royal Birkdale. “The seventh has been shortened to 150 yards, creating a different targeted challenge. Therefore, the par threes are now set for a varied test and well equipped for major championship play and will range from 150 to 240 yards.” The new fourteenth plays over land a fairway’s width to the right of the former par-five fifteenth, to a green set on higher ground. “The old green was the most undulating of all of the putting surfaces, but a high proportion of it could not be used for flag positions,” said Cruickshank. “The new green is heavily influenced by the shape of the old green, but it now has a greater variety of pin locations.” The second phase covers the remaining holes and includes the enhancement of green surrounds, subtly adjusting fairways, rebuilding all the tees and removing hard paths. Turn to page 42 for an interview with M&E principal Martin Ebert. Photo: Royal Birkdale Photo: The Boundary Shaping is in progress on a new Mackenzie & Ebert golf course at Moncayo, a 1,100-acre luxury development in Puerto Rico. The course will be the firm’s first design in the Caribbean, and will feature views of the El Yunque Mountains. “Our design seeks to respect and enhance the island’s natural landscape with a layout that challenges golfers while offering truly breathtaking 360-degree views,” said Martin Ebert. Heritage Links is handling construction, and the course will be grassed with Platinum TE paspalum supplied by Atlas Turf International. New Caribbean course takes shape 11

NEW COURSE - Golf Club Föhr 2023 ALTHAUS GOLFDESIGN – GOLF COURSE ARCHITECTS – DUESSELDORF, GERMANY www.althausgolfdesign.de - info@althausgolfdesign.de NEW COURSE - Dresden Herzogswalde 2018 NEW COURSE - Georgenthal, Wiesbaden 2014

TEE BOX Construction begins on new golf course in Hong Kong Construction is underway at Plover Cove Golf Club, a new development in Hong Kong that includes an 18-hole golf course designed by Fry/Straka. The project will see the 53-hectare Shuen Wan landfill site transformed into a golf destination – one part of the investment estimated to cost 4.5 billion Hong Kong dollars (US$580 million). “Plover Cove Golf Club is a groundbreaking golf course that represents a new standard in both design and conditioning, positioning itself among the finest courses in the world,” said Dean Nelson, general manager of Plover Cove. “Transforming this once-overlooked parcel of land into a remarkable golfing destination underscores our commitment to preserving Hong Kong’s status as a premier global hub.” Flagstick Golf Course Construction Management began building the course last year. Construction has included sandcapping, the installation of stateof-the-art drainage and bunker systems, Zoysia grasses and a subsurface moisture management system that is in use at Augusta National, TPC Sawgrass and Muirfield Village. Collectively, these will help the club to maintain quality playing surfaces and withstand local weather conditions. “Plover Cove is not just a new course; it is a bold statement on the future of golf,” said John Clarkin, founder of golf consultancy Turfgrass and a member of the team overseeing the project. “Our work on this project is more than just golf development; it’s about pioneering a new standard where sustainability, efficiency, and playability coexist. We are proud to have shaped a course that stands as a model for modern golf course development.” Plover Cove will have a rainwater harvesting system featuring a water tank and recirculation system. This system will capture and store rainwater for irrigation, enabling it to be reused and help reduce the club’s reliance on grid-sourced water. The irrigation system will also feature automated sensors that precisely control watering schedules, ensuring efficient water use and minimising waste. Two rare incense trees will be incorporated in the golf course design – their preservation is due to their classification as a protected species and listing as ‘near threatened’ under Hong Kong’s ‘Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance’. Plover Cove is also committed to minimising potential adverse effects on local protected species, such as the collared crow and the black kite. Image: Courtesy of Plover Cove 13 A rendering of the Plover Cove course, with Tai Po Waterfront as a backdrop

TEE BOX McGinley firm completes second phase of Donegal renovation Paul McGinley Golf Course Design has renovated seven holes at Donegal Golf Club, located on the Murvagh Peninsula on Ireland’s Atlantic coast. Work is being undertaken in five phases, with the remaining 11 holes to be completed within the next three years. The 20-acre practice ground will also be upgraded to become a golf academy. The design team’s work is focused on greens, bunkers, realignment of the fairways and tees as well as native areas, irrigation and pathways. “I am advocating for the redesign and expansion of greens,” said McGinley. All greens in the first two phases remain in the same location, with the fifth lifted and re-rootzoned on the recommendation of Ian McClements from iTurf Management. “In the next phases, the sixth green will be moved to a location, originally recommended by Eddie Hackett, which is now possible with modern machinery,” said McGinley. The eighth and fifteenth will be moved to new locations for visibility of the natural dune landscape. These green complexes are being left until later in the project, as they can be redeveloped without interfering with play. Bunkers will be renovated to a revetted style, with the number of bunkers to be reduced by around 25 per cent to improve playability and reduce maintenance costs. “The top lip of the bunkers will not be particularly high, and the golfers will be able to walk in without the sense of entering holes in the ground, said McGinley. “My masterplan calls for evolution, not a revolution. The core principle is this links needs to be more playable, allowing for all standards of player. At the same time, it should be seamlessly prepared for major events. I am doing this by creating optionality on tee locations, and greens that allow pins to be tucked when needed.” The design firm, now in its 20th year, is also working at Dunfanaghy GC and Portsalon GC, both in Donegal. It is also supporting the potential move of Balmoral Golf Club in Belfast to a new site in Ballylesson. Photos: Paul McGinley Golf Course Design McGinley calls his work at Donegal an “evolution, not a revolution”. Above, the green at the par-three fifth has been raised and re-rootzoned 15

TEE BOX THE BIG PICTURE The opening hole at The Commons, a Jim Craig design at Sand Valley Golf Resort in Wisconsin, photographed by Brandon Carter. The resort’s sixth course is a 12-hole, 3,525-yard links-style layout with Craig’s routing beginning near the base of a mountain of sand that was originally intended to be a stockpile for future projects. “It has grown to become 16

17 Photo: Brandon Carter a landmark that some guests cannot help but visit,” said Craig. “The iconic dune, referred to by many as ‘Mega Dune’, has definitely found a home worth showcasing. “Mega Dune’s original home was transformed into a breathtaking 40-acre lake named Luna Lake. It now provides guests with views of stunning sunsets while either hiking around the property, paddleboarding, playing golf or just sitting on the back porch of many of the beautiful home sites around the lake.” The first hole is an uphill 444-yarder, framed by bunkers set into a ridge line. “The bold, undulated fairway contours give players a glimpse of the rugged golf ground similar to courses in the UK,” said Craig. “The choice of routes will present different challenges, depending upon how aggressive players choose to play. The tee ball offers flattish ground at different yardages and angles for players to enter the small, hubcap-like green. The firm playing conditions provided by the staff – led by superintendent Zach Jasin – will definitely influence players’ decisions while choosing their approach shot for the first green.”

18 The Third, a new course by Love Golf Design, has opened at Watersound Club in Panama City, Florida. The Third was designed to contrast the club’s two existing courses: Tom Fazio’s Camp Creek and Greg Norman’s Shark’s Tooth. “Everything is quite different,” said lead architect Scot Sherman. “We had to create lagoons for drainage but ultimately kept water out of play. We moved minimal soil and added no off-site landscaping, only transplanted native material from the land. The course is wide but still built so that each hole remains memorable and unlike the other courses at Watersound, there are no houses along the course at all.” The seventeenth hole is a driveable par four that crosses a natural wetland. “We built an interesting tee site, a bridge that crosses the wetland and an interesting hole with many options,” said Sherman. “The fairway is wide, and the green site is nestled along cypress trees. There’s a middle swale and traditional-style bunkering that all add up to a short hole with more bite than you might imagine.” Sherman says the five par-three holes – three, six, eight, fourteen and sixteen – are among his favourites. “We almost intentionally look for opportunities to build par-three holes often,” he said. “They allow us to determine the view and strategy each player will have and plan accordingly to dictate the shot.” Love Golf Design worked with MacCurrach Golf Construction, O’Connell Engineering and Total Earth Services during the project, and irrigation services were provided by Rain Bird and Aqua Turf International. Love Golf Design creates new course for Florida’s Watersound Club TEE BOX

19 Himmel begins renovation of Bad Ems Photo: Kurt Lischka Thomas Himmel has started renovation work at Bad Ems Golf Club near Koblenz, Germany. The course – originally designed by Karl Hoffmann, Charles A. Mackenzie and Major Fahrenholtz – fell into disrepair following World War II. “The facility was getting old and out of shape due to lack of investment,” said Himmel. “And some beautiful, old oak trees were visually lost due to the wild growth of plants around them. The redesign will give the course a more open, parkland feel and other alterations to ensure the course is suitable for the modern game. Changes include expanding the greens to add more strategic variety and spread the wear, as well as improve their drainage and to extend the playing season.” Himmel will work with Josef Poetter Golf on the renovation, which will involve the redesign of greens, the installation of CapillaryFlow in all bunkers, selective fairway regrading, new forward and back tees and a new Rain Bird irrigation system. There will be significant changes to holes two and eleven. “The second green will be raised by three-and-a-half metres to lift it out of a shady and humid sink surrounded by trees,” said Himmel. “And the eleventh will be significantly flattened to improve playability across what is currently an almost unplayable cross slope at the first landing area.” Photo: Thomas Himmel In the last issue of GCA, Sandy was to be found on the tee of the par-five fourth, Trá Mór (meaning ‘big beach’), on the St Patrick’s Links course at Rosapenna in County Donegal, Ireland. Rosepenna, essentially the world’s oldest golf resort, waited a long time for its best course, but Tom Doak’s design of St Patrick’s has been universally acclaimed, currently ranked as the 49 best course in the world by Golf magazine; a lot of us who have seen it think it will go higher. Self-confessed ‘links lover’ Peter Stead of Kirkbymoorside in Yorkshire, England, provided the first entry out of the hat, and wins the much-prized golf shirt. This month Sandy is a little further afield, but the same architect has been involved with this course. For a chance of winning one of our golf shirts, let us know which course it is, in an email to gopher@golfcoursearchitecture.net. GOPHER WATCH

Olde Eight Golf Club, formerly known as The Links at Stoney Point, in Greenwood, South Carolina, is set to reopen in October 2025 following a comprehensive renovation by Drew Rogers. The architect is preserving the original Tom Jackson routing but completely redesigning every hole to deliver a new golfing experience. Rogers is working alongside Total Turf Golf Services, Leibold Irrigation and Better Billy Bunker. Work also includes the construction of a new short layout, practice facilities and a putting course. What were your first impressions of the course? What attracted us to the Stoney Point site was its solid arrangement – it has a sequencing and fit that we felt could be improved upon within a typical renovation. The palette is strong, and the bones are good. The terrain here has nice variation and movement and the sequence through the site exposes its diversity, with both open and wooded areas, mixed vegetation, varied elevations and even some accented exposures along the banks of Lake Greenwood. What are the goals of the redesign? First and foremost, we will be establishing a completely new architectural identity and experience. TEE BOX “Elements within the golf envelope will most certainly take on a more refined and purposeful character,” says Drew Rogers “Our aim is to squeeze the very best out of each hole” At Olde Eight in South Carolina, Drew Rogers is preserving an existing routing but completely revamping the look and strategy of the course. Q&A with Drew Rogers 20 Photos: Drew Rogers

We do have the challenge of there already being a golf course here – so the positioning and sequence will not change – but the elements within the golf envelope will most certainly take on a more refined and purposeful character, and in most cases be presented in a much more dramatic fashion. The course is being lengthened to its limits and many holes will feature strategically angled elements that will define the holes visually and beg the skilled players to think, while the shouldering offline areas will be expansive and playable for the average golfers. I think players will immediately appreciate the balance in the way the course is ultimately presented. We certainly don’t play favourites when it comes to golf holes as we like to think about the course as more of a ‘whole’ than of pieces and parts. But with Olde Eight, there is a desire and commitment by the ownership and team to make the course very distinctly unlike anything else, which we sometimes see a lot of today. What we liked about this property originally was just how well the course was originally visioned, so the routing does allow for solid variety and distinction. Our aim is to squeeze the very best out of each hole so that the entire experience comes together as something very distinctive and memorable. What can golfers expect from the new short course and practice facilities? Construction of the short course and practice academy is slated to begin later this year on adjacent virgin ground that is close to holes two and three. There will be golf cottages in both of those areas as well as near the large putting course – to be named Piedmont – near the first tee. The vision for the short course is for it to be entirely bunkerless, with the ground contours to be the star of the show. The focus is on fun! The academy facility will accommodate members at one end and academy students at the other. The target area will be expansive, divided into two arcing fairways where players can practice draws and fades from those opposing tees. Both ends will also have putting greens and shortgame practice areas. What makes this project special? What makes Olde Eight truly unique and appealing is its commitment to family and community. Designed as more than just a destination, Olde Eight aims to create a place where visitors feel compelled to stay – a community that seamlessly blends world-class golf amenities with the warmth and connection of a closeknit neighbourhood. The creative and development team here at Olde Eight is probably the strongest I’ve ever been a part of, and we’re excited to create a unique golfing experience like no other, and we’re excited to welcome guests soon. Drew Rogers is preserving the original Tom Jackson routing at Olde Eight, but completely redesigning every hole 21 Image: Olde Eight Development

Hoiana Shores Golf Club, a GEO Certified Development | photo: Gary Lisbon ROBERT TRENT JONES II, LLC • USA +1-650-475-0329 • golfinfo@rtj2.com • www.rtj2.com A FOCUS ON THE FUTURE Hoiana Shores, one of Southeast Asia’s ‘must play’ golf destinations, is the first true links course in a tropical environment. Sculpted by RTJ II, its dramatic sand canvas and sweeping ocean backdrop create a thrilling course unlike any other in Southeast Asia. Recognized in The LINKS 100, the world’s best courses (25-26).

23 Royal St David’s completes irrigation update Toro, Reesink Hydroscapes and Green Irrigation have successfully completed an irrigation project at Royal St David’s Golf Club in Harlech, Wales. With an aim to enhance the club’s long-term sustainability, the introduction of Toro technology will help to reduce overall water usage, with advanced sprinklers and real-time data monitoring helping to minimise water waste while maintaining high-quality playing conditions. “This successful project serves as a model for other golf clubs looking to enhance irrigation efficiency while maintaining superior course quality,” said Simon Squires, senior sales manager of golf irrigation at Toro. “Through strategic partnerships and the use of modern technology, Royal St David’s demonstrates how innovation and sustainability can go hand in hand in the world of golf course management.” Photo: Toro Turfgrass Culture Spanish turfgrass seed supplier Semillas Fitó published the Spanish-language book El Césped y su Cultivo in 2009, as a practical reference guide for growing grass at sports facilities in southern Europe. A revised version has now been published in English as Turfgrass Culture and has a worldwide perspective. “The purpose that guided us is still more valid than ever and fits with the mission and values of Semillas Fitó where sustainability and the good use of available resources is an obligation,” writes Josep Cirera, turfgrass director at Semillas Fitó. Turfgrass Culture is an extremely comprehensive guide to grass, organised over 11 tabbed sections, beginning with a botanical identification of turf species and also covering topics such as nutrition, irrigation, maintenance and diseases. Each section includes photography and illustrations and several charts and illustrations to help build the reader’s understanding of turfgrass. The final section is a collection of articles from expert contributors, including turf experts from several leading US universities and golf course architect Marco Martin. Sustainability is a key theme, and much of the new content focuses on sustainable practices in turf care and growth. “Reducing the carbon footprint is a strategic objective and the cultivation and proper management of turf plays an essential role in this,” writes Cirera. “New tools such as precision turf management (PTM), a combination of methods and technologies proposed to increase the resilience of golf and football fields, help to improve the efficiency of available resources while maintaining the function and aesthetics of the playing surface.” Turfgrass Culture can be purchased for €40 (US$44) by contacting pmartinez@semillasfito.com. GOOD READ TEE BOX

Five ways mowers can influence golf course design TEE BOX Husqvarna, with over 30 years of experience in autonomous turf care, has published a report based on input from members of the European Institute of Golf Course Architects (EIGCA) that outlines the ways in which mowers can influence golf course design. The Golf course architects embracing robotic mowers report identifies five key trends driven by advancements in robotic mowing technology that could transform the landscape in a positive way: 1. W ider fairways – “This change can make play easier and faster, while also restoring historical course layouts that featured wider fairways.” 2. D esign consistency and multidesign – “These mowers can eliminate the inaccuracies that arise from manual mowing, ensuring the design stays true to the architect’s vision.” 3. R ethink slopes and undulation – “Robotic mowers can maintain steep slopes up to 70 per cent, opening new possibilities for course design.” 4. C reative pathways and details – “These machines can navigate tight spaces and intricate designs, enabling architects to focus on finer details and create more visually appealing and functional pathways.” 5. Flexible height of cut – “The ability to set and change cutting heights with ease enables more creative and strategic use of different heights throughout the course. This can also lead to more varied and interesting playing surfaces.” Caspar Grauballe, EIGCA president, said: “The advancement of robotic mowers has greatly benefited us as golf course architects, allowing for more design freedom. We can now incorporate steeper slopes with confidence and know that GPS-guided precision ensures mowing lines remain exactly as intended.” 24

Photo: Husqvarna Dunedin Golf Club has reopened its Donald Ross course following a restoration by golf architect Kris Spence and Stantec. Work began in March 2024 with the aim of restoring the course to its original intent but with modifications to accommodate for advances in club and ball technology. “We have used historic-like construction methods – such as mini excavators and skid loaders – to reconstruct the original green shapes and slopes to modern modified USGA green standards,” said Lorrie Viola, senior planner at Stantec. Spence and Stantec have also restored Ross features like swales, spines, plateaus, terraces, humps and roll-offs. Viola said: “The restored bunkers now reflect those of the original Ross design, directing the preferred line of play and defining the target area, separating holes for protection and adding variety to the players strategy.” Read more about the restoration on the GCA website. Photo: Walt Kozikowski Photography Download the full report from the Husqvarna website. Dunedin reopens Ross course following restoration Chanticleer renovation continues at Greenville Beau Welling Design and Landscapes Unlimited are progressing with a renovation of the Chanticleer course at Greenville Country Club in South Carolina. The project includes a complete reshaping of the course, new and revamped greens, new irrigation and drainage, renovating bunkers with Bunker Solution liner, regrassing playing surfaces with Tahoma 31, new tees and new cart paths. “For the lower handicap players, the playing experience is going to get more difficult due to the contouring in some of the greens as well as through an incorporation of new roll-off areas,” said Welling. Work also includes new forward tees and removing some greenside bunkers to allow for lower trajectory approaches. Photo: Landscapes Unlimited 25

The keystone of the company is to deliver golf courses based on Paul McGinley’s design philosophy which is founded on the classic strategic mode of H. S. Colt and Donald Ross. “I believe in designing golf courses that give a deeper understanding of the traditions of the game and that will build a relationship with you as it’s custodians.” PAUL MCGINLEY PRINCIPAL DESIGNER paulmcginleydesign.com joe@golfmcginley.com Dublin, D11 KP73 Ireland Design • Renovation • Restoration Founded 2005

27 On the tenth, the valley has been raised and the landing area lowered. With the teeing area moved forward, the blind tee shot has been eliminated TEE BOX The sixteenth is now the longest par three on the course and has a new Redan-styled green “The fourteenth is the only bunkerless hole on the course,” says Mogg. “However, the green complex consists of more undulations, swales and runoffs to add interest and challenge” At the eleventh, the cross slope has been eliminated, a stream has been created, and the green has been shifted left to create a slight dogleg left at the end of the hole COURSE BLUEPRINT The Island course at Singapore Island CC The Singapore Island Country Club will reopen the back nine of the Island course in the second half of 2025, and renovation work continues on the front nine. The project is the last design work of the late Neil Haworth and is being overseen by Brett Mogg, a longtime partner at Nelson & Haworth. The aim is to improve the course’s playability, walkability and drainage, while retaining the course’s historical roots and character. Mogg says the course was previously “an old-style clay-based and cowgrass layout that had to often close due to wet weather.” Work includes reducing steep fairway slopes and unwalkable areas, sandcapping to help the course cope with tropical rain events, new push-up style greens with SubAir ventilation, and EcoBunker revetted bunkers. A new Toro irrigation system is also being installed. Key work relating to the back nine’s walkability includes filling valleys and lowering ridges on holes ten, thirteen, fourteen and sixteen (the carries have also been shortened) and eliminating steep slopes up to tees on eleven and twelve. Playability has been aided by the elimination of blind shots on ten and thirteen as well as the construction of new forward tees on most holes. Construction is being carried out by TEHC International, Centaur Asia Pacific helped deliver Profile Products’ porous ceramic for greens construction, and Primo Zoysia grass from Sports Turf Solutions has been selected for tees and greens. Image: Nelson & Haworth

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29 Golf course architect Jeff Lawrence and contractor Aspen Golf are set to complete a renovation at Pine Lake Country Club in Charlotte, North Carolina, in June 2025. The course is expected to reopen for play in early September. Built in the late 1950s by Gene Hamm, the course is being upgraded using a new masterplan created by Lawrence Golf Design. The project includes redesigning all 18 green complexes, bunker renovation, tee work, clearing trees and installing new drainage and irrigation systems. Fairways on holes four, eight and thirteen will also be regraded. The general location and elevation of most greens have been preserved but they will be expanded to accommodate more hole locations and create more variety. They will also be converted from bentgrass to TifEagle bermuda grass provided by New Life Turf. “The integration of creative bunkering, defined low-mow collection areas and imaginative shaping will further highlight the new green complexes, elevating their impact on the course’s design,” said Lawrence. “The addition of sandcapped approaches and lowmow areas will ensure firm playing conditions which is a creative byproduct of repurposing the old green’s mix.” In addition, the course will feature new tees to offer a greater variety of yardages. One of the new back tees is at the par-four ninth, with the new location extending the carry over water. Meanwhile a new forward tee on the par-four fifth will offer golfers a 230yard option, significantly shortening the hole for higher handicap players. Some bunkers will be removed, others will be renovated and new ones will be added to improve playability, maintenance and provide greater strategy. For example, a new bunker will be added to the par-four tenth hole to create a more strategic shot from the new tee locations. Bunkers will feature liner from Better Billy Bunker. “The primary goal of this renovation was to preserve the core design characteristics of the golf course while introducing a fresh, creative vision that would elevate both its strategic complexity and visual appeal,” said Lawrence. “I’m excited by the prospect of offering the membership a course that combines greater variety, strategic depth and striking visual elements. I am confident these enhancements will position Pine Lake Country Club as one of the hidden gems in the Charlotte golf market.” Photo: Lawrence Golf Design Jeff Lawrence renovation of Pine Lake in Charlotte nears completion A visualisation of Jeff Lawrence’s proposed design for the seventeenth and, inset, the same hole before renovation TEE BOX

MIKE GORMAN AND TRENT JONES INSIGHT Designing for destination resorts is about capturing the unique spirit and character of a location. These places aim to offer memorable, one-of-a-kind experiences that draw travellers specifically for golf. The chance to ‘wow’ golfers allows us to break the mould more than usual, something we love to do whenever possible. But that doesn’t mean all destination golf demands the same type of course. It can be a must-play championship golf course like a Chambers Bay or Erin Hills, or it can be a golf-exclusive property such as those Mike Keiser has built at Bandon Dunes and Sand Valley. But what you can almost always count on at these resorts is an incredibly fun and flexible golf component in a beautiful location that you may visit only once in your life. That’s why it has to be a truly memorable location, and that’s a lot of what we’re seeing being built today. How do we compare destination design to a traditional club or public facility? Traditional clubs are usually designed for a golfer who will play that same course many times during the season, while destination courses must be flexible enough to satisfy many different purposes, from everyday play for a variety of skill levels to tournament play. These courses also come with different expectations and limitations on maintenance. It’s the architect’s job to provide the most flexibility to satisfy these different concerns and constituencies. Over the decades, there has been a clear shift in what resorts are asking from golf course designers – we’re now seeing more experiential design elements, emphasising pure golf enjoyment. And they run the gamut: music on the course, caddie programmes, Himalayas-style greens, night golf and flexible designs that prioritise playability and fun over difficulty. In some ways, course architects must think like social directors on a cruise ship, with many ways of engaging and entertaining the guests. And, frankly, we love that. Golf’s purpose at resorts has changed, too. Back in the 1950s, Juan Trippe hired Robert Trent Jones, Sr. to build golf courses that he could fly his Pan-American planes to; golf was an activity that drew people somewhere. Golf remained a resort necessity for a long time. But that changed, not only at resorts but at golf communities: the clientele shifted their focus to other sports, particularly adventure Mike Gorman and Trent Jones explain how the Robert Trent Jones II approach to resort golf has evolved, driven by a resurgence in remote golf development. Destination design 30

The site for the upcoming Grenada National course in the Caribbean sports like surfing and mountain biking. Now golf is experiencing a resurgence of interest, but it’s a more casual golf experience, more fun, more family friendly and unique. It makes designing for resorts more fun, too. At Costa Palmas in Baja California Sur, Mexico, the design emphasises a relaxed, social atmosphere, taking full advantage of the location’s exceptional natural beauty, including pristine beaches and wildlife. The course serves as a catalyst, enhancing the overall resort experience with flexible playing options and social gathering areas strategically placed throughout the course. The biggest challenges when designing golf for destination resorts? Simply speaking, remote site locations and limited access to resources. For example, at Grenada National in the Caribbean we discovered a valuable deposit of high-quality sand on site, crucial because importing sand to such a remote location would not have been possible. Being resourceful and adaptive during construction is essential. At Grenada National, finding this sand will be a gamechanger in drainage, playability and the overall player experience. Another challenge is creating something appropriate and truly special while being aware of the business plan of the resort. For instance, if a developer is building a resort on the ocean, there’s often the desire to save the beachfront property for hotel rooms or home sites. But if you can convince the ownership that golf should touch the beach – creating additional viewsheds for more of the property, which enhances the overall value of the aesthetics – it makes for a very special experience. We did something like that at Hoiana Shores in Vietnam. It’s a links golf course in the classic sense… but it’s in Vietnam. The developers wanted to put housing along the beach, which would quickly Photo: RTJ II 31

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start generating revenue. However, we were able to convince them that by setting the homes back would lead to more expansive views for the homeowners and a core golf experience next to the sea. This has elevated both the value of the homes and the value of the golf. We expect destination golf to expand into more remote and emerging markets worldwide. Selecting the right sites is critical, particularly locations that offer native sand, interesting terrain and sustainable water sources. Our approach emphasises educating clients about these key ingredients to ensure successful, environmentally responsible golf developments. Our team is working around the world on both new courses and renovations. As well as Grenada National, and also in the Caribbean, we are about to begin construction at Cotton Bay on the island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas. Cotton Bay is especially exciting because it’s a complete rethinking of a Robert Trent Jones, Sr. course from the late 1950s that helped launch the Bahamas as a destination. The new course – and it is all-new – is set on a natural sand base and will feature a flexible routing that makes it ideal for matchplay as well as ‘choose your own adventure’ golf. We’re also progressing with new ‘golf-first’ projects in Iceland, Italy, Vietnam, Ecuador, Panama and Egypt. They’re all at different stages of development, and we’ll be sharing more in the coming months. Trent Jones is chief operating officer and Mike Gorman is senior project architect at RTJ II RESORT GOLF At Cotton Bay on the island of Eleuther, the RTJ II team is creating an new course with a flexible routing that makes it ideal for ‘choose your own adventure’ golf Image: RTJ II 33

34 FEATURE ARCHITECTURAL ARTWORK Written by Adam Lawrence Adam Lawrence profiles some of the best illustrators of golf courses in the game’s history – both full-time artists and architects who draw or paint. We can argue until we are blue in the face whether a golf course is a work of art. The Oxford English Dictionary defines art as ‘the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination… producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power’. In architecture, whether buildings or golf, there is obviously creative skill and imagination, but the works are appreciated primarily for their function – as an office, a home… or a golf course. So, the point is very definitely moot. What is not, at all, debatable is that, throughout the game’s history, golf courses have been a popular subject for artists. The earliest golf pictures were generally of golf matches – what is believed to be the first painting featuring golf, now titled, ‘View of St Andrews from the Old Course’, by an unknown artist, dates from about 1740 and now belongs to the Royal and Ancient. The most famous such image is ‘The Golfers’ by Charles Lees from 1847, depicting a match at St Andrews between Sir David Baird and Sir Ralph Anstruther against Major Hugh Lyon Playfair and John Campbell of Glen Saddel, which now belongs to the National Galleries of Scotland. The depiction of golf courses purely as subjects for landscape painting came later. To this day, the most famous are those painted by the prolific New Zealand-born, but English-resident illustrator Harry Rountree for Bernard Darwin’s book, The Golf Courses of the British Isles (1910). Now, Rountree’s style is highly evocative of its time, but his style initially developed in isolation from what was going on in the art world at the time. “Though I had done hundreds of drawings before I made the voyage of twelve thousand miles to London, I had never seen an original – except my own – and I was simply dying to see the little bits of Bristolboard containing the work of the men I most admired in the English illustrated magazines and papers,” he told the Boy’s Own Paper in a 1909 interview. The reproductions that the young Rountree saw in the papers that made the long journey to New Zealand must have helped develop his style, which, at least in his landscapes, has a soft, almost Impressionistic feel to it – which is perhaps not surprising for an artist who learned this way, rather than from studying contemporary painters – by then, the Impressionists were, in pure art terms, yesterday’s news. Architect Tripp Davis has an interesting take on Rountree’s work, suggesting it is not great golf art. “I love Rountree, but not for golf courses – for landscapes,” he says. “His work didn’t really show the substance of the golf all the time, but his painting of landscapes is amazing. “Defining substance as the details that impact the way a hole plays, Rountree was doing more Impressionistic brush strokes, which doesn’t lend itself to detail, and his perspective was often very broad to show the scale of the landscape. He did a wonderful job capturing the essence of the landscape and I would not want that to change, but the detail and scale doesn’t capture the substantive details. I don’t think it was meant to.” In his long and busy career, Rountree did not paint a lot more golf, though The art of golf

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