Robert McNeil has created comprehensive golf course enhancement plan that will add much needed improvements to Orchard Hills Golf Course, a nine-hole county facility in Paramus, N.J.
“From the onset we realized that Robert McNeil had much more to offer than merely a physical plan for improvements. Robert helped pinpoint a vision for our operation,” said Kevin Purcell, Manager of Golf Courses for Bergen County Department of Parks which, in addition to the nine-hole Orchard Hills, also owns and operates four 18-hole golf courses: Darlington Golf Course, Overpeck Golf Course, Rockleigh Golf Course, and Valley Brook Golf Course. “The plan became more than an idea. It became who we are,” added Purcell.
Initially a safety issue drove the objective of the improvements. Balls from the existing par three 4th hole, located adjacent to the Bergen County Community College outdoor tack and field facility, regularly found their way over a fence and onto the track.
While working with Superintendent Peter Evans and County Golf Manager Kevin Purcell, McNeil discovered that portions of the course were part of an original A.W. Tillinghast design from the 1920’s. Some vestiges of his work still exist. The trio also found the original routing that utilized a bend of land opposite the pond adjacent to the existing fifth hole. These historical revelations have been incorporated in the plan to recapture a visual style and strategy of the original design and utilize the abandoned pond side land for a new 4th hole.
Tell Us What You Think!
You must be logged in to post a comment.