LATEST
NEWS

Richard Humphreys
/ Categories: News

LaFoy completes renovation of East course at CC Birmingham

Golf course architect John LaFoy has completed a renovation of the East course and the practice facilities at the Country Club of Birmingham in Mountain Brook, Alabama.

Donald Ross designed both of the club's courses in the mid-1920s. The West course was renovated by Robert Trent Jones in the early-1960s and again by Pete Dye in 1985. The East course was worked on by George Cobb in the 1960s and by LaFoy in 1989.

Following Dye's “full-scale renovation” of the West course in 1985, LaFoy was contacted to carry out work on the East. “Both of the courses received a complete tee to green comprehensive renovation, however the course was renovated more to the Ross ‘traditional’ style, as opposed to what was done on the West course,” said LaFoy.

In 2012, plans were started to renovate the club's practice range and short game facility. As plans developed, it became clear that tees, bunkers and irrigation needed attention on the East course, including the addition of a large pond for both aesthetic and water supply purposes.

The East course had five different scorecards for various member groups and at least one hole was a different par for men and women golfers. There was also no continuity in terms of tee size, shape, and location.

“It was important to re-frame this venue to accommodate every group that played the course, utilising one scorecard with every hole the same par for both men and women,” said LaFoy. “This included paying attention to forced carries and ensuring that the shots required from each sets of tees did not exceed the capabilities of the players. It was also important that the tee markers could be moved so turf wear could be spread around, as well as providing flexibility in length from the same set of tees.”

A six-tee system was put into place using most of the existing tees and adding 28 more. Most were forward tees, although several were back tees, stretching the course out for the better players. “It was important that every calibre of player got something from this project. Because of the traditional course design, many greens were close to the tee for the next hole, allowing for placement of some ‘walk-on’ tees adjacent to the greens.

“The multiple tee system is much more than just an attempt at a ‘Tee It Forward’ program, but an initiative to make every member, regardless of age or skill level, to feel like the course is playable for them. We wanted every member to feel like they were playing from a set of tees that were not just an afterthought.”

Jim Barrett was irrigation consultant for the project that included a new system for the entire course. Leibold Irrigation was the contractor for the irrigation installation as well as course renovation work. Tees were sodded with Diamond zoysia and built with an internal drainage pipe and a six-inch soil mix cap.

All bunkers have been rebuilt to Better Billy Bunker specifications. “No bunkers were drastically changed, but some sand lines were adjusted for increased visibility,” said LaFoy. “The putting surfaces were virtually untouched except around the edges where some of the ‘dams’ – created by topdressing build-up, which was restricting flow of surface water from escaping – were lowered and re-sodded.”

Construction started in July 2018 after the Alabama State Women's Amateur Championship, due to the courses sharing the practice facilities, which were used by the players. Work was completed in spring 2019 with the course growing in since.

LaFoy's work on the practice facility has seen the top deck of two-tiered tees lowered to make the practice all on one level. “In addition to the area we gained from eliminating the transition slope, we also enlarged the tee to the front and to the right side,” said LaFoy. The tees on the course have also been squared off for a ‘traditional’ appearance.

“’Wedge’ greens and other target greens, some with sand bunkers, were built in the range fairway, as well and mounding at the end of the fairway to contain shots. The final solution will also include some netting due to some limitations in the range acreage. We totally renovated the short game area, combining two smaller greens into one 8,000 square foot ultradwarf bermuda green and greatly expanded the chipping areas around it. We placed two sand bunkers around the green, one of which can be used for fairway bunker practice.”

A new 2,000 square foot teaching building equipped with the latest instructional technology has also been built. “Director of golf Eric Eshleman has an excellent teaching staff and wanted to provide the ultimate learning experience for his members. Eric’s input on the building and practice facility was invaluable.

“The CC of Birmingham is a wonderful example of how a country club benefits from a clear vision and a continuity of leadership. The club’s architectural chairman, Barney Lanier, and key members of the golf and green committees, as well as the director of maintenance, Lee McLemore have been in place since the original 1989 renovation. Bobby Knight, the East course superintendent has been on staff for a long time as well. I feel fortunate to have been included in each step along the way to help implement their vision and contribute to the overall success of this and every project. The list of team members would be too long to mention but suffice to say this was the ultimate team effort.”

Previous Article Rosewood Cordevalle reopens following greens renovation
Next Article Swan returns to Barton-on-Sea for work on Stroller nine
Print
3901 Rate this article:
No rating
Slideshow HTML
  • CC Birmingham

    John LaFoy has completed a renovation of the East course at the Country Club of Birmingham

  • CC Birmingham

    Work finished up in spring 2019 and the course has been growing in since

  • CC Birmingham

    Edges of greens were lowered, which were restricting the flow of surface water from escaping

  • CC Birmingham

    Construction started in July 2018 after the Alabama State Women's Amateur Championship

  • CC Birmingham

    Leibold Irrigation was the contractor for the irrigation installation and course renovation work

  • CC Birmingham

    All bunkers have been rebuilt to Better Billy Bunker specifications

  • CC Birmingham

    A six-tee system was put into place using most of the existing tees and adding 28 more

  • CC Birmingham

    The club's practice range and short game facility have also been renovated

Richard Humphreys

Richard HumphreysRichard Humphreys

Other posts by Richard Humphreys
Contact author

Contact author

x
Spring 2025 issue of ASGCA’s By Design magazine is out now
Magazine, News | Fri 14 Mar, 2025

Spring 2025 issue of ASGCA’s By Design magazine is out now

New issue asks whether the golf boom has led to an increase in municipal golf investment

The January 2025 issue of Golf Course Architecture is out now!
Magazine, News | Fri 17 Jan, 2025

The January 2025 issue of Golf Course Architecture is out now!

Projects covered include Golf Club Föhr, Brautarholt, Cabot Citrus Farms, Somabay and more

FEATURE
ARTICLES

Jim Wagner and Rusty Mercer discuss Kinsale design and build
Kinsale Golf Club
Interview | Richard Humphreys

Jim Wagner and Rusty Mercer discuss Kinsale design and build

Florida course is a tribute to the Golden Age designs of Raynor and Macdonald

Are bunkers getting too pretty for their own good?
Larry Lambrecht
Feature | Adam Lawrence

Are bunkers getting too pretty for their own good?

Is the beauty of bunkering being over-emphasised at the expense of its function, asks Adam Lawrence

Good Read: The Prairie Raynor
Grant Books Ltd
Good Read | John Moran and Rand Jerris

Good Read: The Prairie Raynor

John Moran and Rand Jerris share insight into their book about Seth Raynor’s design at Chicago Golf Club

Vinpearl Golf Léman: New pearls for Vietnam
Vinpearl Golf Leman
Report | Richard Humphreys

Vinpearl Golf Léman: New pearls for Vietnam

The first of two Golfplan-designed courses at club near Ho Chi Minh City has opened for play

Seven Canyons: Desert drama
Brad Klein
Report | Bradley Klein

Seven Canyons: Desert drama

Brad Klein reports on a Phil Smith Design renovation in Sedona, Arizona

Golf Club Föhr: Reinvented for a new century
Stefan von Stengel
On site | Adam Lawrence

Golf Club Föhr: Reinvented for a new century

Adam Lawrence reports on a visit to the far north of Germany where Christian Althaus has completely rebuilt the 27-hole course over the last 15 years

Nauka Nayarit: Welcome to the jungle
Harris Kalinka
Report | Richard Humphreys

Nauka Nayarit: Welcome to the jungle

Ten holes of a new Fazio Design course on Mexico’s Pacific coast have opened for play

Brautarholt: Oceanic connection
Tony Ristola
On site | Adam Lawrence

Brautarholt: Oceanic connection

One of the world’s best 12-hole courses is being extended to 18 by architect Tony Ristola. Adam Lawrence reports from Iceland and says he expects the finished course to make quite a splash

The Club at Quail Ridge: Delivering the dramatic
Evan Schiller
Report | Richard Humphreys

The Club at Quail Ridge: Delivering the dramatic

Florida club unveils results of North course redesign, completed by Fry/Straka and NMP Golf Construction

Addison Reserve: Return on investment
Gideon Heller
Report | Toby Ingleton

Addison Reserve: Return on investment

One of southeast Florida’s premier residential communities has completed a project to redesign its three nines of golf

Black Diamond Ranch: Creating a new star
Tripp Davis
Report | Richard Humphreys

Black Diamond Ranch: Creating a new star

Tripp Davis updates bunker strategy and introduces subtle movement to greens at Black Diamond’s Ranch course

Gopher Watch Competition – January 2025
Gopher Watch, News | Fri 17 Jan, 2025

Gopher Watch Competition – January 2025

Which course has Sandy the gopher visited this month?

MOST
POPULAR

FEATURED
BUSINESSES