Golf Course Architecture - Green Pages 2021

21 T he 24-hole Grange Golf Club in Dublin, Ireland, has engaged Paul McGinley Golf Course Design to develop a master plan to renovate its 18-hole James Braid course and make it fit for decades to come. McGinley’s master plan is the second phase of a development programme that has seen the club invest €570,000 over the past five years in the facility, including its new integrated short game complex. As well as 18 holes from Braid, the club also has an ‘outer six’, which can be played as an Academy course. The original 18 holes, the Love course, begins with back-to-back par threes. An alternative routing, the Sheahan course, comprises 13 holes from the Love course and five of the outer six holes, with the round beginning on Love’s par-four third hole. The objective of the master plan from McGinley’s standpoint is to enhance and improve all facilities that the Grange Golf Club currently has, with particular focus on the outer six; making those holes blend better, architecturally, with the current Love course. The work, which is being constructed by DAR Golf, will include improving the movement of golfers around the property, while adhering to health and safety procedures. Another aim of McGinley’s is to ensure that the layout is enjoyable and playable for golfers of all abilities. Key will be protecting, enhancing and future-proofing the Grange’s DNA, as a beautifully tree-lined, parkland course. Some of the options under consideration in this second phase include reviewing tee box locations to offer a better mix of challenges for the full range of handicaps; alternate layouts to the Academy course to increase golfing options for members; further additions to the practice facilities including a warm-up area; and bringing the bunkering back to a traditional style with modern construction to reward strategic golfers and improve year-round playability. Work to date, much of which has been designed and overseen by McGinley and his project coordinator Joe Bedford, has included the creation of a championship- sized integrated putting and short game practice complex, the redevelopment of the first hole and green, bringing all greens to USGA standards, bunker improvements, and new course signage. For more on Paul McGinley Golf Course Design, turn to page 52 o r visit www.paulmcginley.com Paul McGinley (centre) alongside Grange Golf Club captains Martin Nolan and Gráinne Gunning Paul McGinley develops a master plan that will make Grange Golf Club in Dublin fit for the next generations Preparing for the future PAUL MCGINLEY GOL F COURSE DES IGN