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Golf Course Descriptions |
Le Diable Golf Club Mt.
Tremblant, Quebec, Canada
Golf Course Web Site
www.tremblant.ca
Mt. Tremblant is nestled in the
scenic glory of the Laurentian
Mountains, an easy ninety-minute drive from downtown Montreal. Le Diable
the newest golf course at this outstanding year round resort was built in
only five months and is set among a plantation of mature pine and spruce
trees. Half the course features golf holes in large sandy waste areas, with
dramatic mountain backdrops. The rest of the course plays in and around the
mountains.
Le Diable was selected by International Management Group (IMG), as
host to the “1999 Export A Canadian Skins Game” featuring: Fred Couples, David
Duval, John Daly, and Mike Weir.
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The Ledges of Huntsville Mountain
Huntsville, Alabama
Golf Course Web Site
www.theledges.com
Named for the sheer, natural rock faces exposed throughout the course, The
Ledges of Huntsville Mountain is built, along with a housing development, on a
flat mountaintop of about 225 acres on the edge of the Appalachian Blue Ridge
Mountains. With spectacular views over the 1,000-foot drop on all sides of the
plateau, the air is fresh and cool in the otherwise warm climate of Alabama.
While The Ledges provides a unique challenge, it also offers
a very dramatic setting for the individual golf holes. Ten of the holes are
perched on cliff edges and are treated as lateral water hazards. Sandstone tees,
McKenzie-style bunkers, and zoysia fairways are among the other unique elements
of this course, which is designed for players of all skill levels. There are
lots of mature trees to separate the village homes from the golf course, and
abundant topsoil on the grounds allowed plenty of space for the designers to
create a course around the many boulders in the area, some the size of a house.
After a round at The Ledges, club members can enjoy a
drink or meal at course’s impressive clubhouse, an English Tudor Mansion with
more than 36,000 square feet that encompasses a grand hall, private men's and
ladies' lounges, bars, two dining rooms, and more.
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Little Mountain
Country Club Concord, Ohio
Golf Course Web Site
www.lmccgolf.com
It may be an
exaggeration to call one of the highest points in northeast Ohio a little
mountain, for it is only about 400 feet higher than Lake Erie some five miles
way. The name actually came from settlers in the late 1700s because from one
spot in particular (near the 17th tee) they could see Lake Erie. So the name
stuck and since then this spot some 30 miles east of Cleveland has been a
 popular
summer retreat for its wonderful views and cool Lake Erie breezes.
The golf
course itself is characterized by rolling land bisected by 60-foot-deep stream
corridors, huge oak, maple and beech trees and an abundance of white silica sand
bunkers. The combination of the dramatic changes in topography along with a
flashy bunkering style reminiscent of Augusta National sets Little Mountain
apart from other Ohio golf courses. Little Mountain was recently featured in
Golf Magazine’s “Now Playing” section with an overall perfect reader rating of
5.0
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When Bobby Jones was planning the Augusta National layout, he sought out the one architect who
could best execute his dreams; Dr. Alister Mackenzie, whose masterpieces include two of Golf
Digest 's "Top Three Courses in America". When
planning the Naples National layout, the club's founders selected us because
they believed that we had the talent and skill to turn a 175 acre flat piece of
Florida into a masterpiece. We will always be indebted to Dr. Charles
Benton for this opportunity, and as a result of our collaboration Naples was a Golf Digest runner-up for "Best New Private Course" and is ranked 8th out of over 1,000 courses in Florida.
Golf Week ranks it 84 among
their Top 100 Modern Courses. It's
most prestigious honor however, is that it is ranked as the 100th Best Course in America
by Golf Digest.
Like Dr. Mackenzie, we believe in the tradition of making the most of native terrain. In this
case, centuries-old stands of cypress and pine, marshland and sand. The end result is golfers find an unbelievably
old appearing golf course that looks as natural as Cypress Point. Those privileged enough to have played Pine Valley
will immediately pick up on striking (and often harrowing) similarities. Rugged sand scrub waste areas bordering
meticulously manicured fairways. The overall design is a throwback to the historic courses of 60, 70, 80 years
ago. No island greens. No railroad ties. No gimmicks. And no need for Daly-esque length. Still and all, from the
tips, this par 72 tops out at well over 7,000 yards -- giving even low handicappers a high degree of difficulty
and reward.
No expense has been spared in design -- or maintenance. Every round will be played at tournament
level conditions.
Even the practice facilities reflect a passion for perfection. The professional staff includes
a former PGA "Teacher of the Year." The facility itself features multiple hitting areas (with uphill,
downhill and sidehill options), five target greens with strategic trees and bunkers to simulate on-course conditions,
sand bunkers and two regular course-quality putting greens.
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The Sand Barrens Golf Club is a unique golf course along the "south Jersey shore,". Located in Swainton,
New Jersey, Sand Barrens offers a spectacular challenge to golfers of all skill levels. Using nature as a back
drop, this picturesque par 72 layout plays over 6,900 yards from the back tees, and demonstrates the
diversity
and beauty of the natural terrain. Combining majestic tree lined fairways, vast natural area, dramatic scrub bunkers
and massive undulating greens, this course requires strategy from tee to green.
To insure perfect playing conditions, all 23 acres of rough have been sodded. A premium blend of bent grasses adorn
the tees, fairways and greens. All 27 holes
 work together providing you with a memorable and satisfying golfing
experience that invites you to play it again and again!
The owners commissioned Hurdzan/Fry Golf Course Design after interviewing several top golf course architects. According
to the owners, "Mike and Dana's attention to detail can be seen throughout the course and is a direct result
of Dana's many visit's to the site. Dana came and walked the entire course site every 10 to 12 days, and like the
postman, neither rain, sleet, snow, hail deterred him from his appointed rounds."
As the name Sand Barrens suggests, the dominant features of the course is SAND! The 35 acres of sandy scrub waste
areas that meander throughout the 27 holes are not considered sand bunkers. These native waste areas are partially
vegetated with all types of indigenous grass, plants and trees, giving them a more rugged and aged appearance.
The sand, that is so prevalent, did not have to be imported from a gravel pit, but only needed to be uncovered
to form the natural waste areas in strategic locations.
Golf Magazine has named Sand Barrens to its prestigious "Top Ten You Can Play" list.
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At StoneWater Golf Club water comes into play on sixteen holes in the form of wetlands, lakes, ponds and streams.
These water features necessitated the building of twenty-two bridges. Seventy sand bunkers include some of the
largest and most dramatic hazards imaginable. Eighty-one separate teeing areas enable the course to play from just
over 5,000 yards to nearly 7,100 yards. Five sets of tees make the course enjoyable for any golfer.
The signature feature of the golf course is the sensational stacked rock that accents many of the tees, bunkers
and water features. The combination of stone and water is the primary reason the name of the Club was changed to StoneWater.
The goal is to have the finest playing conditions possible. In addition to a wall to wall irrigation system, StoneWater
is one of the few clubs in the state to install a fertigation system that enables us to apply fertilizers and nutrients
to the course daily.
Greatness for any golf course is really determined by who plays it and who says it is great. The success of my
work usually comes down to two factors: aesthetics and playability. Playing StoneWater is a total sensory experience,
and the land communicates that with the golfer. StoneWater it is not only playable but memorable.
StoneWater is more that a golf enterprise, it is a golf experience. That experience includes the option of taking
a caddie, one of golf's greatest traditions. Spikeless golf shoes are required (traditional metal spikes are prohibited)
which helps enable the maintenance staff to provide the finest putting conditions. Ten minute starting time intervals
also insures proper spacing and an enjoyable pace of play.
StoneWater also offers one of the finest practice facilities to be found anywhere, including five target greens
with bunkers, a short game practice area, and private teaching tees. |
The Vineyard
Cincinnati, Ohio
The Vineyard was one of the first of the upscale public
golf courses in Cincinnati, and in the first year of operation it made as much
in gross sales as the course cost to build. This is unheard of in any business,
let alone golf, where it takes about three years to reach profitability. But it
proves that if you build a superior product, maintain it to a high standard, and
treat customers with pleasantness and respect, they will gladly pay higher
prices for such experiences.
 Not only is The
Vineyard still ranked ninth in the state of Ohio by Golf Digest , is still the standard by which even newer
clubs are judged. The client was the Hamilton County Park District which prides itself as being environmental leaders
among major park districts, and The Vineyard is one example of how they earned that reputation. Prior to construction
of the course, meticulous counts of bird populations were made, heavy use areas avoided, supplementary vegetation
planted, and netting and foraging areas preserved. After the course was constructed and had operated for a few
years, subsequent bird counts showed an increase in the numbers and types of birds that call the golf course home.
Good planning makes golf courses good environmental neighbors.
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Wasioto Winds Golf Course
Pineville, Kentucky
Golf Digest has named Wasioto
Winds among the 2002 “Top Ten Best New Affordable Courses in the U.S.” Many
golfers describe it as "difficult but friendly to the high handicapper."
Visitors to the golf course, which is owned and operated by the Kentucky
Department of Parks, are always struck by the course's beauty. It occupies an
undulating valley that is crossed several times by a meandering stream, and
guarded by majestic mountains.  Native plants such as rhododendron and hemlocks
were used to landscape the course.
Unlike many Kentucky courses, Wasioto Winds will remain green
virtually year round, because of the extensive use of an upscale, cool-weather
turf called L-93 Bent Grass.
The layout includes five par 3
holes and five par 5s. True to its links nature, the course is relatively flat,
with water coming into play from three lakes, a creek and several wetlands
areas. Six arching bridges span the water throughout the course.
Other features include wide car paths, a practice range, two practice putting
greens, and an indoor-use training center
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Start with a majestic mountain. Take advantage of the natural contours. Throw in some sand,
work with the water, preserve the trees, and respect the wildlife. Top it off with some of the most breathtaking
views on the west side of the Rockies. You'll then have all the ingredients for not just a golf course, but a total
golf experience.
Westwood Plateau is such a place. Situated high on Eagle Mountain in Coquitlam,
just 45 minutes from downtown Vancouver, it is home to the largest
residential project in western Canada and one of the most comprehensive golf
developments in the country.
We were told that we were selected because everyone felt comfortable that we would use extreme
environmental sensitivity, in converting this pristine site into a par-72, 18-hole course of stunning beauty where
the shot values are a match for the scenery. Rolling fairways laced with evergreens lead the way to manicured greens
artfully defended by grassy swales and sand bunkers.
Some holes leapfrog across babbling creeks; others traverse undulating ground. Some holes
require draws; others, fades. And water hazards are on hand to punish the wayward. Yet the true measure of a great
golf course lies in its enjoyment value for every class of golfer. An on this score, Westwood Plateau excels.
Five sets of tees on every hole make the course anywhere from 5,000 yards short to 6,800
yards long, and loaded with strategic options for scratch players and high handicappers alike.
Whichever you choose, you're bound to be both inspired and distracted by the mountain flavor
of the course and the panoramic views of Mt. Baker and the Fraser Valley. My assignment was to create a high-quality
golf course that appears to be designed by its setting. I believe the result is all that and more.
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