Colorado’s second-oldest country club has begun the final “sprint” to complete a $1.65M renovation that was first conceived in 1994. Gil Hanse will direct the project on a course that was redesigned by Donald Ross in 1916.
Lakewood (Colo.) Country Club, a landmark since 1908 and the state’s second-oldest club, has begun making changes to its golf course, which was redesigned by Donald Ross in 1916, to both enhance the golfing experience for long-time members while also seeking to attract those who are new to the sport and the area, The Denver Post reported.
C&RB reported on the plans for the renovation last February (http://clubandresortbusiness.com/2017/02/lakewood-colo-cc-plans-1-5m-golf-course-upgrade).
The $1.65 million renovation will include changes to eight holes, adding bunkers as well as 220 yards to the course from the back tees, while also bringing water hazards into play, the Post reported.
“I think [the renovation] will take some holes that have gotten a little weak and strengthen those holes,” Mark Wehrle, a 38-year member, told the Post.
At the same time that yardage is being added, new players, younger players, older players and high-handicappers may be attracted to a set of forward tee boxes, designed to improve accuracy and scores, the Post reported. The change is part of the Professional Golfers’ Association’s “Tee it Forward” campaign, aimed at creating a more enjoyable experience for all golfers.
“We are going to have a course that plays shorter, really for anybody. As people are living longer [and] playing golf longer, maybe it is time to step it up,” Wehrle said.
Lakewood CC officials have been planning changes to the course since 1994, the Post reported. General Manager Lance Scheele said the club’s membership and financial status were key to the decision to implement the plan now.
“We’re seeing across the nation that private country clubs are doing better,” Scheele said.
Golf course architect Gil Hanse will complete the renovations. In addition to his previous design work that includes the 2016 Olympic course in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and a Trump International Golf Club course in Dubai, Hanse is known as a “Donald Ross specialist,” the Post noted.
“Since Donald Ross was one of our original designers, we felt that [Hanse] would be a good fit, and we’ve proved ourselves right,” Scheele said.
Hanse first planned changes to the course in 1994 and revisited those plans in anticipation of the renovation, the Post reported.
“(Hanse) felt that his first, initial design would fully implement today’s technology,” Scheele said. “He’s made a few tweaks here and there, but the plan has remained intact since 1994.”
The course was last renovated in 1961 when J. Press Maxwell redesigned seven holes, according to the club’s website.
Lakewood’s 700-odd members approved the renovation plans by a 3-1 margin, Scheele said. Construction affects nine holes, and the rest of the course will remain open during construction.
“It seemed like the right time to get it in front of the membership,” Wehrle said. “The more popular comment at the end of the day was that we have one of the best golf architects in the world able to assist us,”
The renovations, which began August 15th, are scheduled for completion by November 1st, the Post reported—a construction plan described by Scheele as a “12-week sprint.” The entire course will open for play in May.
“It is one of those courses that you can play every day, and you don’t get tired of it,” Scheele said. “We’re just enhancing an already great product.”
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