The former Watson Ranch golf course in Coos Bay, Ore. is under new ownership directed by Andre Liloc, a Seattle businessman with a technology and advertising background who most recently worked for ESPN. The 95-year-old golf course has been rerouted into a “new nine” and “original nine,” and other members of Liloc’s family are helping with graphics, apparel merchandising and restaurant management.
CC of St. Albans, Governors Club GM Take Top KemperSports Honors
At the management firm’s annual awards dinner, The Country Club of St. Albans (Mo.) was named Facility of the Year, and James Fitzsimmons, General Manager of The Governors Club in Brentwood, Tenn., earned the James R. Seeley Award at General Manager of the Year. Joe Smith of Swenson Park Golf Course and Van Buskirk Golf Course in Stockton, Calif. was given the Emil Esposito Golf Professional of the Year Award, and Jason Pierce of Heron Glen Golf Course in Ringoes, N.J. was named Superintendent of the Year.
At Rolling Hills CC, “Harder Is Not Better. Fun Is Better.”
The golf course in Rolling Hills Estates, Calif., was unveiled on January 14, with designer David McLay Kidd on hand. McLay Kidd offered insight on the layout’s design, noting that “We’ve been taught that golf is all about intimidation and playing defense. I’m turning that on its head. I want my courses to breed confidence.…
Where Food Fuels Golf
The restaurants and culinary team at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort are as vital to the property’s success as its five pristine courses. With 85 holes of golf, Bandon Dunes Golf Resort (Bandon, Ore.) has a higher cumulative course ranking than almost anywhere draw since the resort opened to immediate rave reviews in 1999, Bandon Dunes’…
Golfweek Ranks Best States for Golf
By averaging the ratings of the top five public-access golf courses in each state, Golfweek found that Oregon came out on top, thanks almost entirely to Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. California, Wisconsin, Florida and North Carolina rounded out the top five.
The ACE Club Named KemperSports Facility of the Year
Other awards announced at the management firm’s annual Leadership Conference included Mike Fleig of Greeley CC as General Manager of the Year, Ryan Szydlowski of Desert Willow Golf Resort as Golf Professional of the Year, and Blayne Sparks of The Wilderness at Lake Jackson as Superintendent of the Year.
Public Meeting To Gauge Support for Chicago South Side Golf Project
One of the first public discussions of the $30 million-plus plan to have Tiger Woods design a championship course that has the backing of President Obama and Bandon Dunes owner Mike Keiser is scheduled for January 9th. Community activists are expressing concern over the closed-door nature of the planning to date and whether there will truly be a broad benefit for the sections of the city that have been plagued by unemployment and violence.
Broken Sound Club’s Shannon Easter Leads Environmental Leaders in Golf Awards
The maintenance director and environmental consultant at the Boca Raton, Fla. property has been selected as the Overall and National Private recipient of the annual awards that recognize superintendents and their golf courses for overall excellence and best management practices. Alex Stuedemann of TPC Deere Run (Public Course) and Ken Nice of Bandon Dunes Golf Resort (Resort Course) were also selected for national recognition.
Don Crowe Named GM of Bandon Dunes Golf Resort
Crowe is returning to the Bandon, Ore., resort after being on the opening team in 1999 as hotel operations manager. Following Hank Hickox, who is retiring this year, and Josh Lesnik, Crowe will be the third General Manager in the resort’s 17-year history.
What A Well-Managed Facility Looks Like
It’s one thing to have a signature course, but combining golf with the overall hospitality experience makes for a truly remarkable destination.
“Grown-Up” Putting Courses Highlighted in The Wall Street Journal
The article cites putting courses at Bandon Dunes and Pinehurst as leading the charge in changing the public’s mindset toward the game, providing another opportunity for golfers to compete, but at a lower cost with less pressure and time commitment.
Nominations Open for 2015 TurfNet Superintendent of the Year
The deadline for nominations is December 11 for the award, which is sponsored by Syngenta and honors the accomplishments of golf course superintendents across the nation. The winner will be recognized at the 2016 Golf Industry Show in San Diego and will receive a trip for two to Bandon Dunes.
U.S. Bureau of Land Management Adds Caveats to Mike Keiser’s Land Purchase
Under the controversial deal, Keiser plans to buy 280 acres of state parkland for $2.5 million to build a 27-hole golf course about 14 miles from Bandon Dunes in Oregon. The Bureau has stipulated that Keiser must pay an additional $450,000 for the land, which is half of market value for the property, minus a token fee the parks department.
Chicago Percolates With Talk of New Championship Public Course
Mark Rolfing, an NBC/Golf Channel analyst who grew up outside of the city, is spearheading a plan to combine two current public courses on the South Side into a standout 18- or 27-hole facility that could possibly attract a regular tour stop or even a major championship.
Mike Keiser Negotiates Land for Bandon Muni Project
The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department has agreed to accept several parcels of land, $2.5 million in cash for future land acquisitions, and money to clean up an invasive plant species in exchange for the state privatizing 280 acres of the public coast so Keiser, the owner/developer of Bandon Dunes Resort, can develop a low-cost golf course geared toward local play.