RIVERSIDE GOLF CLUB GOLF COURSE RENOVATION PLAN

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Ilene Reed
5 years ago
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1 RIVERSIDE GOLF CLUB GOLF COURSE RENOVATION PLAN

2 COURSE ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY Established in 1893, Riverside Golf Club ( RGC ) has a rich golf course history and the course is one of the earliest arrivals of golf west of the Appalachians. Initially, the course was nine holes, laid out by W. A. Havemeyer (the first club president), Thomas C. Hannah and J.S. Driver. These gentlemen were not only founding members, but the first RGC course architects. The course remained nine holes until 1919 when the well-known golf course architect, William Boices Langford, was retained to turn RGC into an 18 hole golf course. Langford continued to update the course with his unique brand of architecture as RGC s architect for over thirty years. During the following years the course would continue to undergo renovations and upgrades, most notably the Dick Nugent designed addition of the 4 holes east of Des Plaines River in the mid- 1990s. However, the Langford influence remains well represented throughout the course. Langford s golf course architecture combined the latest innovations in design and construction techniques with a profound appreciation of strategic golf resulting in an artistic melding of natural and constructed golf course features. The use of modern equipment like the steam shovel yielded a signature style featuring strategically located flat bottomed bunkers with steep grass faced slopes which rewarded accurate and thoughtful play from tee to green, while undulating, plateau greens tested all aspects the short game and putting stroke. LONG TERM PLANNING PROCESS In late 2014, the Long Term Planning Committee ( LTPC ) (Kevin Collins, Terry Hennessey, David Pauldine and Scott McAdam) was formed to evaluate the course and develop a long term maintenance and improvement plan under the following guidelines: (i) the current hole routings and significant course design features would be retained, (ii) changes to the course design, if any, would be consistent with the Langford design concepts and (iii) the course would not close and every effort would be made to keep 18 holes in play. The LPTC reviewed each and every hole observing that (i) sand bunkers were badly in need of restoration, (ii) normal turf growth and maintenance practices had caused the green and fairways to creep over time from their original design, (iii) trees had matured changing the landscape of many holes from their intended design, and (iv) generally the course had a tired look. Golf course architect, Dave Esler of Esler Golf Designs, was retained to further the evaluation. Dave Esler is an experienced and knowledgeable golf course architect who has played golf at the professional level and can appreciate both the design and the play aspects of a course. He brings a unique knowledge of our course as well as significant experience in the Chicago area including projects at Chicago Golf Club, Black Sheep Golf Club, Twin Orchard Country Club, Park Ridge Country Club, Glenview Golf Club and many others. Dave also brings a special awareness of the Langford design and therefore of our course architectural history. To see some of Esler Golf Design s work, please visit their website at Elsergolf.com. In addition to the architectural review, a golf course historian and expert on Langford, Dan Moore, was retained to provide a historical perspective and additional insight into course designs consistent with the Langford s influence. Simultaneous with the golf course review, the membership was surveyed and ranked the areas of golf course concern as follows: (i) Sand Bunkers, (ii) Tees, (iii) Greens, (iv) Short-game practice area, (v) Landscaping/aesthetics, (v) Rough, (vi) Green Approaches and (vii) Fairways, in that order. Of the seven areas surveyed, all were very close in rating except for Sand Bunkers which were ranked significantly below the other areas. 2

3 As a result of the above efforts, a Golf Course Renovation Plan was developed to be implemented over a three year period. The greenside bunkers and green surround area improvement were prioritized into Phase I in response to the member survey results. In order to give the membership a hands-on example of the type of restoration work to be done, the alternate 12th hole has been renovated consistent with the Langford design. You will notice the greenside bunkers have a relatively flat sand area transitioning to a steep grass covered slope/wall as you approach the green. This is a signature Langford design feature. You can also see a very dramatic example of this style with our existing bunker in front of the regular 12th hole. Each of the alternate 12th hole bunkers have been filled with different sand types, one contains our existing sand and the other two contain new sand varieties for trial by the members. Please take the opportunity to play the various bunkers. The proposed plan not only addresses many of our current course needs, but will result in a showcase course with a consistent architectural scheme that will rival any course in the district. It will create an attraction for new members for years to come. The Grounds Committee, Long Term Planning Committee and the Board support this plan and ask that you give it consideration for approval at a Special Meeting to be held on Wednesday, August 12,

4 RGC RENOVATION PLAN ( ) ALL PHASES COMBINED 4

5 RGC RENOVATION PLAN ( ) ALL PHASES COMBINED 5

6 RGC RENOVATION PLAN ( ) ALL PHASES COMBINED

7 GOLF COURSE RENOVATION PLAN PHASE I (AUGUST 2015-MAY 2016) Hole #16 Green Complex The 16th green will be restored to original Langford design size adding primarily back right and front left green areas. The green surface will maintain strong slope on back left, however significant portions of green surface will be leveled in order to allow additional pin placements consistent with today s increased green speeds. Front right green bunker will be restored and pot bunkers removed in front of the green. Green Complexes-Greenside Bunkers and Surrounds The focus of Phase I will be on greenside bunkers, including removing all existing sand, installing new drainage, modifying the trap structure consistent with the Langford design, adding new consistent sand to each bunker and re-sodding of the bunker surrounds with bluegrass turf. Sand bunkers on the 3rd & 4th holes will be addressed in subsequent phases when those greens are replaced and no sand bunker work is required on the 12th hole, other than replacement of the existing sand. The type of replacement sand will be determined, in part, by Member input from play of the three varieties of sand currently in the alternate 12th hole bunkers. Over the years green borders tend to creep changing shape due to factors such as the dominance of adjacent turf, contamination from other varieties of turf, changes in the surrounding environment (e.g. shade trees maturing in previously sunlit areas) and the maintenance habits of grounds crews. Greens that have lost size over the years will be returned to the original shape and size. In addition, the turf from green surrounds will be replaced and restored as needed to provide consistent lies and future turf health. 7

8 RGC RENOVATION PLAN ( ) HOLE #16 8

9 PHASE II (2016/17) Hole #4 Green Complex The 4th hole s green will be replaced with a new green that meets USGA standards for drainage and structure. Drainage and structure deficiencies have compounded issues at our 4th hole green resulting in perennial problems recovering from winter exposure and increased difficulty getting the green back into playing shape each season. The severely sloped front right portion of that green makes it impossible for pin placements with today s faster green speeds and removes one-third to one-half of the green from play both increasing stress on the good portion of the green and reducing the playing options for alternate pin placements. The green size will expand slightly to be more in line with the original design and shape and the severe pitch decreased to provide additional pin locations. A long narrow greenside bunker behind the green will be added and the existing bunker renovated. Fairways Fairway Sand bunkers will be renovated in the Langford style with new sand and drainage for each bunker. Additional fairway turf will be added to select holes addressing the creeping of fairways over the years and to institute new landing areas based on specific hole designs and the new landing areas dictated by today s equipment. Grass bunkering has been strategically added and some fairway bunkers completely removed. 9

10 RGC RENOVATION PLAN ( ) HOLE #4 10

11 PHASE III (2017/18) Hole #3 Green and Corner The 3rd hole has consistently been a safety concern with cart traffic along the east side exposed to drives off the tee on the 15th hole. In addition, congestion and delay occur because of the need for players (both carts and walkers) to cross in front of the 15th hole s tee box to access the 4th hole tee area. To address these issues the 3rd green will be moved away from the 15th hole tee boxes (essentially south) and a slight bit away from First Ave. Cart and player traffic would be re-routed along the west side of the 3rd fairway behind the 3rd green and then to the north side of the 15th tee box. The 3rd hole green will be replaced with a Langord style reverse Redan type hole consisting of a green that runs slightly downhill left to right away from the green s center, a green oriented at a diagonal from the tee, a false front bump and run left side approach and a large deep trap guarding the right. The new green will conform to USGA standards for drainage and structure. A back tee will be added for the 4th hole and front tees added for both the 4th and 15th holes. This will allow versatility on tee off combinations. Tee Construction Tee boxes will be rebuilt and laser leveled to achieve uniform rectangular shaped teeing areas. Tee surfaces may be increased to reduce wear and tear at particular tee locations and to add additional playing alternatives as needed. All repair and renovation work will be completed without ever closing the golf course with the goal of keeping 18 holes in play whenever possible. 11

12 RGC RENOVATION PLAN ( ) HOLE #3 GREEN COMPLEX AND CORNER 12

13 BUDGET AND FINANCE PLAN PHASE I (AUGUST MAY 2016) Hole #16 Green Complex, renovate all greenside bunkers, expand select greens $446,000 PHASE II (2016/17) Hole #4 Green Complex, renovate all fairway bunkers, expand and reshape select fairways, add grass bunkering and grass mounded areas in select areas $543,000 PHASE III (2017/18) Hole # corner renovation (replacing 3 rd green complex and re-routing cartpath) and renovate all tee box areas. $511,000 Contingency $54,000 Architecture, Engineering & Consulting $46,000 TOTAL PROJECT $1,600,000 The $1,600,000 of estimated project costs will come from two sources; Membership assessments of 24 month and 60 month duration and additional bank borrowing in August/September 2016 not to exceed $500,000. We anticipate the bank borrowings will be required to cover project expenditures in excess of the Membership Assessments described below commencing at the start of phase II, however all Golf Course Renovation Plan related debt is scheduled to be repaid in full from the Membership capital assessments noted below within 60 months of the projected start date. The RGC Board is proposing the following Membership capital assessments: 24 Month Duration 60 Month Duration Regular, Associate, NRA & Affiliate $225/Month * $50/Month Junior, Executive & Regional $112.50/Month* $25/Month Junior and Junior Associate $56.25/Month * $12.50/Month * Annual and quarterly discounted pre-payment options will be offered in lieu of a monthly payment. 13

14 IMPLEMENTATION AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT If passed, the Golf Course Renovation Plan would be implemented under the supervision of Dave Esler, Golf Course Architect, and Corey Kuhl, Superintendent of Grounds. WORK SCHEDULE The project calls for repair and renovation work to begin 7-10 days after approval by membership, however consideration will be given to accommodate Club and Class Championship matches until completed. CONCLUSION The implemented Golf Course Renovation Plan, combined with effective maintenance practices will provide Membership with an outstanding golf course for the next 30 to 40 years. We will enjoy consistent grass around the greens, firm level tee boxes, renovated bunkers, and a golf course that can be regulated and managed by our Grounds Staff instead of a golf course that manages and regulates our Grounds Staff. The right personnel are in place to take on and manage this proposed plan to a successful conclusion. As such the Grounds Committee and the Board ask you to support this Renovation Plan. With the renovation of our golf course, Riverside Golf Club will provide an unparalleled experience for all of our Members. Combined with our location, we will be uniquely positioned to increase our Initiation Fee and attract new Members for decades to come. 14

RENOVATION MASTER PLAN

RENOVATION MASTER PLAN For: Field Club of Omaha Omaha, Nebraska DATE: JUNE 20,, 2018 P r e p a r e d b y : 3250 BRINKERHOFF ROAD KANSAS CITY, KANSAS 66115 PHONE: 913.621.5214 FAX: 913.621.0760 EXECUTIVE