A VISION FOR BLACKWELL GRANGE GOLF CLUB

Transcription

1 A VISION FOR BLACKWELL GRANGE GOLF CLUB Jonathan Gaunt Senior Golf Course Architect & Principal Director Gaunt Golf Design Limited Monday 8 th September 2014 jonathan@gaunt-golf-design.com

2 Company Background I have been working in the golf development industry for over 27 years; Designed, built and supervised the construction of over 36 new golf courses in 4 continents; Consulted on over 220 existing golf courses originally designed by: Old Tom Morris, Colt, MacKenzie, Park jnr., Braid, Dunn, Simpson, Fowler, Butchart, Abercromby, Hilton, Taylor, MacKenzie Ross, Penninck, Cotton, amongst others; Qualified golf course architect and landscape architect - BA Honours in Landscape Architecture (1985) & Diploma (Masters) in Landscape Architecture (1987) (Leeds Metropolitan University). Senior Member of the European Institute of Golf Course Architects, since 1997; Only British golf course architect to receive a British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) award for a golf course design (Wokefield Park GC in UK in 1998).

3 Our design principles Wide knowledge of history/development of golf design throughout UK and worldwide, gained through working on, playing and studying the great golf courses of the world; An exceptionally high attention to detail, aesthetics and presentation and a flexible combination of varied and exciting design styles; I understand what can be built efficiently and economically, having originally worked for specialist golf course contractors for 3 years; A strong understanding of the playing and demands of the modern golf game; A concern for environmental & ecological issues; Appreciation of the fun and enjoyment of the game a real enthusiasm for the sport.

4 Blackwell Oued Fes Grange Golf Resort, Golf Club Morocco now - hole has #17 an exciting opened: future, 2012 having 18 holes moved budget 6.5m to what was previously known as Stressholme Golf Course in In May 2014 the Committee asked Gaunt Golf Design Limited to undertake a full course assessment, allowing me to provide my opinions/first impressions relating to the course. The masterplan is accompanied with a written report and in-depth, hole-by-hole analysis of the entire golf course. Our advice, ideas and recommendations will go some way to setting in place a vision for the future, taking into account how to make long-term improvements to the course and practice facilities. This presentation provides a number of recommendations and suggestions for members to consider and gives an opportunity (for the Committee) to get members reactions. It also allows for the members to directly ask questions of the Architect or the Committee. Kaskada Please Golf note Resort, that Brno, nothing Czech within Republic our - hole proposals #10 opened: has yet 2007 been 27 decided holes budget our 2.5m masterplan is in concept form, for presentation and further discussion/dialogue.

5 BRIEF HISTORY OF THE COURSE Oued Fes Golf Resort, Morocco - hole #17 opened: holes budget 6.5m The architect of the course, Charles Kenneth Cotton, was very prolific between the 1950 s when he remodelled courses damaged during the 2nd World War, throughout the early 1970 s to his death in C.K. Cotton was a founder member of the British Institute of Golf Course Architects. He designed the golf course at Stressholme GC for The County Borough of Darlington, together with three other prominent golf course architects J.J.F. Penninck, John D. Harris and Charles D. Lawrie. Interestingly, the company name on the 1967 masterplan is Cotton (C. K.), Harris & Penninck John D Harris was also a very prolific British golf course architect and contractor, who was responsible for remodelling, designing and overseeing the construction of over 450 golf courses throughout the world.

6 1967 layout Oued Fes Golf Resort, Morocco - hole #17 opened: holes budget 6.5m

7 1973 layout Oued Fes Golf Resort, Morocco - hole #17 opened: holes budget 6.5m

8 COMMENTS/OPINIONS ON THE COURSE Oued Fes Golf Resort, Morocco - hole #17 opened: holes budget 6.5m Our brief was to consider the following within our design assessment: a) historic perspective b) overall impressions c) visual attraction d) course layout e) bunkers f) trees g) greens and surrounds h) tees i) fairways and mowing regimes j) roughs k) water features l) safety m) circulation n) drainage o) practice facilities

9 In terms Oued of Fes maintenance Golf Resort, BGGC Morocco has - an hole excellent, #17 opened: experienced 2012 greenkeeping 18 holes budget team, 6.5m expertly led by Doug Avey, who has a real passion and commitment to making the course the best in the region. Doug also has support from well-respected Agronomist, Robert Laycock. The site is spacious and populated with many mature trees, giving the course an established character. But, the dense tree plantations restrict light and air-flow. A number of holes are tree-lined, which helps to provide separation, but, gives a hemmedin character, and makes some of the holes a bit monotonous to play. Because of this a number of the holes lack distinction especially those that play back and forth in parallel manner, i.e. holes #1, #5, #6 and #7. This is not a straightforward course to maintain there are, quite simply, too many trees on the golf course. The Club needs to embark on a substantial woodland management programme. There is a lack of challenge from the tee on many par-4/par-5 holes, with few well-placed fairway bunkers, mounding or grassy hollows. There is also a need to have a consistent strategy for the bunkers fairway and greenside, so that the challenge is fair and in keeping with the way the holes should be played.

10 Oued Fes Golf Resort, Morocco - hole #17 opened: holes budget 6.5m The course is fundamentally very good in layout terms, with only a few weak holes. It is possible to extend/lengthen the course to be in excess of 6600 yards, par 72, giving the opportunity to create a technology-proof golf course that will still be played and enjoyed 100 years from now. The course layout, in general, works well, but there are some parallel holes notably, #2 and #3, #2 and #17, #3 and #4 and then #5, #6 and #7 which can be considered both monotonous and, potentially, a safety issue. There are a few pinch points between holes #3 and #4 and #2 and #16, in particular. Of most concern to a golf course architect is between holes #3 and #4. The arrangement of the holes here is not ideal, but in the days when the course was designed there were fewer golfers, so a safety issue would not have been envisaged. Consequently, we recommend that the 3rd and 4th holes be redesigned and a replacement par-3 hole designed elsewhere on the course (in the outward nine) for (to replace) the 4th hole.

11 Oued Fes Golf Resort, Morocco - hole #17 opened: holes budget 6.5m Visibility (between fairways) is considered acceptable to allow views of golfers from one hole to another, however, some of the inter-fairway trees do restrict views, making it difficult for golfers to see others who may be in range this is the case between holes #2 and #17 with sliced tee-shots from the 2nd tee. There is a great deal of land inside of the golf course boundary which is currently not being used for golf. This concerns two areas - in between holes #1, #7 and #8 (2 hectares/5 acres) and between holes #9, #10, #11, #12, #14 and #18 (4 hectares/10 acres). This could be used to accommodate new holes or an academy course. There are excellent opportunities to make the course better than it currently is, to improve strategy, aesthetics, challenge, maintainability and safety. The course should be made less penal for higher handicap golfers to play and, at the same time, more of a challenge for low handicappers. There is potential to develop an updated layout with improved associated practice facilities that would have a wider regional and even national profile, which could if the Club is agreeable make the club a potential venue for top County amateur events.

12 Oued Fes Golf Resort, Morocco - hole #17 opened: holes budget 6.5m Existing course card For the short-hitters (and ladies), there are few excessive carries from tee to fairway (except, possibly, hole #10) and there are blind tee shots on #2, #9 (partially), #10 and #18, which is a problem for longer hitters. The balance of holes between nines is not ideal: inward 3476 yards, par 37, and outward 2955 yards, par 34 (men s white card) a difference of 521 yards, which is a considerable difference. There is less of a difference on the ladies card: - outward 2662yards, par 36and inward 2909 yards, par 37 a difference of 247 yards, which is better than the men s course.

13 Oued Fes Golf Resort, Morocco - hole #17 opened: holes budget 6.5m For the men s course there is no par 5 on the outward nine, but three par-5 s on the back nine, which explains the imbalance. The SSS for the men s white course is 70 (also 70 on yellow course)), one shot below par, which makes the course less of a challenge. The course plays well, the members seem to enjoy the challenge and the golfer doesn t get the chance to get bored. There s good variety of left/right dog-legs and up-hill/down-hill/side-hill landing areas and approaches. There are a few holes which provide more space to open your shoulders and be a bit less confined between trees. Holes #17 and #18 are both challenging holes in terms of length, but strategically, in need of a rethink. In relation to what could be achieved with the new land there are many opportunities to make the course, with re-alignment and re-routing, one of the most challenging courses in the county. Plus, there is the opportunity to develop practice facilities further - making the club all the more attractive to younger and new members.

14 What we are proposing: To make Blackwell Grange one of the best private members golf courses in the region: Upgraded 18-hole course to a high standard, safer-to-play, more strategically challenging, using site features more dramatically, better drained; Re-alignment of 2 holes - #3 and #4 and #6 and #7; New tees, greens and bunkers throughout; New woodland plantations to provide screening and to frame views; Tree clearance in certain areas to remove non-native species, dangerous trees and others that cause maintenance problems poor air circulation (disease), shade, leaf-drop, etc.; New water features to provide additional challenge, improve aesthetics, improve drainage and add new eco-habitat; New 9-hole par-3 Academy Course; Improved Practice Facilities putting/chipping greens, short game zone, targets on practice area/driving range; Adventure Royal St George s, Golf for children Sandwich, and complete Kent canal beginners; on hole #14

15 Gaunt Golf Design Masterplan 2014 Oued Fes Golf Resort, Morocco - hole #17 opened: holes budget 6.5m

16 Scorecard for Masterplan 2014 Oued Fes Golf Resort, Morocco - hole #17 opened: holes budget 6.5m