Keeping up with the World's Busiest Golf Architect

While working in Sorocaba, Brazil this past May, I took the opportunity to go visit the world's busiest golf architect, Gil Hanse, in Rio de Janeiro.  Over the last 5 years I have been in the habit of showing up in the most unlikely locations to find work and I have been successful in my searches.  I believe the saying goes, "the harder I work the luckier I get."  In this case my luck landed me a job in Dubai and not in Rio as I was hoping!  Nonetheless I have been offered a tremendous opportunity to work alongside Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner, of Hanse Golf Design, in the construction of their latest project in Dubai.  The golf course will be part of a large luxury housing development in Dubai City.  I'll be doing my best to deliver a look to the bunkering scheme which reflects the overall concept of the project.  I have also been given the latitude to add value to the design in other facets of the golf course, from tee to green.

It is my first week on the job and we are in the bulk earthmoving stage of the project which begins with the construction of a driving range and two golf holes.  This is a golf course which will be totally manufactured as there is absolutely no contour to build from, only our own imaginations.  Mr. Hanse has given us a framework to create within and in effect encouraged critical input from the construction team.

The first hole is coming to life and should be ready for fine shaping by the end of our work week.

Updates to come...

New Construction--Fazenda Boa Vista, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Downtown Sao Paulo, Brazil

I've recently returned from a 5 week work trip to Sao Paulo, Brazil, designing and building sand traps on a brand new golf course in Brazil.  The golf course is being built for the residents of a large upscale housing development just over an hour outside of Sao Paulo.  Thad Layton, Senior architect at Arnold Palmer Golf Design is leading the project with contracting services provided by Pro Golf Brasil and a small team of American shapers.  As of today the first 11 holes are shaped and ready to be capped with sand in preparation for seeding and grow-in.

Sorocaba River

The front nine, built on a nearly flat field of sugar cane, hugs the serpentine curves of the Sorocaba River.  Architect Thad Layton executed a thoughtful plan to shape this area of the golf course with fill taken from the irrigation reservoir created on site.  Although some of the soils were heavy with clay, many areas of the golf course were built on pure sand, no doubt left by the river over thousands of years.  The final product on the front nine is a broadly rolling landscape which takes the golfer for a wander through wetlands, rivers and lakes.   There are also many long views of nearby farms and mountains which are framed by the tall palms surrounding the property.

Hole #1

Thanks to the surgical eye of shaper Randy Brown and the attention to detail of Mr. Layton all of the contours appear naturally formed, hiding the intention of each roll and swale.  All but two greens on the front nine sit at grade with the fairway, connecting seamlessly to the edge of the putting surface.  My job as a bunker specialist was to highlight , embellish, or even hide the nearby contours of fairways and greens while defining a look for the golf course.

The back nine begins to climb gradually to a high point on the 12th tee, then spills down to a broad fairway where the golf course really begins to shine. From the 12th hole to the 18th green the golf course reveals itself quite easily over some not so subtle contours.

Finding an easily walked golf course over hilly terrain is no easy task and is as much of a compliment to the routing as it is to Thad's appreciation for the history of the game.  Following one of the most revered tenants of great golf architecture, a walking golf course was found.  Among other elements there is a classic feel here with no great gaps between holes, many greens appear to simply extend from the fairway, there is width and strategy off the tee, as well as open approaches to the greens.  The Boa Vista golf course is unlike any other design that Arnold Palmer Golf Design has put forth and is a good sign for where the design group would like to go with their work.  There are not many noteworthy golf courses in Brazil to compete with, however the Boa Vista golf course sets a high standard in the quality of its design and should be regarded as one of the best golf courses in Brazil.

A Self Qualification in Golf Architecture

Cal Club
California

Broadstone Golf Club
England

In the last year I have accumulated an extraordinary amount of frequent flier miles in pursuit of even more experience around the world of golf.

From the start of 2012 I have been to exactly 60 golf courses on 3 continents, in 8 different countries.  I'd also like to highlight my work experience on exciting and ambitious projects in Uruguay, England, Nebraska, and New York.  This work has allowed me to study and test out the essentials of the worlds best golf courses, in many different cultures.  It is the beginning of my 5th year as a golf design professional and I am prepared to take on the responsibilities of a golf architect in addition to my playing and construction expertise.

Technically I can't be a golf architect without clients.  In 2013 it is my goal to retain at least one client and help them express the best qualities of their golf course in a matrix of design, construction, and maintenance.

Sincerely,

Jeff Stein

Dismal River Continued...

18th Hole, Par 4

In my last post I used the phrase "latest and greatest remote destination.." to exemplify the kind of golf course which creates buzz and excitement around the world of golf.  This year that golf course is Tom Doak's latest design at the Dismal River Golf Club, in Mullen, Nebraska.  It is a golf course successful in its virtue of modern minimal design.  I can say this with accuracy and truth as I have participated in the construction first hand.  Even the few holes which required significant earth movement, were only disturbed in part to connect fairway landing areas and add playability.  The 2nd and 13th greens required NO earth movement whatsoever.  They were both tilled, cleaned, and planted as we found them.

2nd Hole, Par 4

I believe all those involved in the project all believed in and tried to emulate the principles of design which Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw pioneered at the Sand Hills Golf Club back in 1991.  Today both of these golf courses exist in remote and often harsh conditions.  Where Sand Hills has stood the test of time, Dismal River follows in its foot steps, adding to the wonderful golf experience that can be had in the Sand Hills of Nebraska.

 3rd Hole, Par 3

My contribution to the construction and design of the new course at Dismal River started by mowing out the prairie grass, but I was mostly on the business end of a rake.  No matter what the task it was a really special privilege to be a part of this vision in the Sand Hills and to help create a legacy for world class golf in this region.

 5th Hole, Par 3

6th Hole, Par 4

Mercer Oaks, West Windsor, NJ

The small NJ commuter town of West Windsor must enjoy some of the best municipal facilities in the Northeast. Members of the community play for just $24 mid week, have access to a lightly used grass driving range (half are mats for colder months), and two thought provoking 18's. Now you have just seen me write affordable, thought provoking, and NJ all in the same sentence! It is a first for me but this is what public golf is all about in West Windsor and could be seen as a great example of how best to grow the game one community at a time.

Try to carry the bunkers or tack around to the right
on this reachable par 5.

The latest greatest remote destination course builds excitement in the world of golf but it will
not create the type of ground swell needed to grow the game from the roots up. Mercer Oaks
is the type of golf facility which should be applauded for its accessability and overall quality of experience. Junior play is also supported here with green fees of just $15. Also to the point of accessibility and enjoyment are the 5 sets of tees ranging from 5400-7000+.

More options abound off the tee on this reachable par 4.

The range of options for all levels of golfers from children and seniors to top level
amateur play creates an  opportunity for everyone to have fun. The fairways are also wider than average to create some strategic options and
alternate routes to the hole.  I always enjoy coming to Mercer Oaks because you get the most for your money here. The staff clearly care about maintaining the best possible product and my last visit justifies this praise once again.

Weaker players still have a chance to bounce a shot up the left side,
while the more accurate players are still challenged by the green side bunkers

Cruden Bay, Aberdeen, Scotland

Cruden has got to be the most stunning golf course I have walked but didn't see!  The day I toured through these massive dunes, just an hour north of Aberdeen, the fog was so thick that I could not see my Titleist fly more than 100 yards.  After contact the golf ball would seemingly disappear into the mist, I was lucky to find any of my shots on this day.  The real shame is not in the loss of my Titleists but that I was not able to take in the broad vistas of the Cruden Bay links.  Each hole was shrouded and isolated by a chilly fog while the ocean could be heard but not seen.  Under these circumstances my experience on the golf course was one of mystery and discovery, finding mounds, bunkers, and greens with each footstep.

The course begins while a challenging drive to a heaving fairway that tilts from left to right.  A rather long dune runs parallel to the line of play for the first few holes, setting up a similarly vexing tee shot on #2.

The landing area for the #2 fairway, not much room for error

Once you get past the first par 3 and step onto the 5th tee box, you start to get a sense for the size of the dunes you are about to navigate.  I should say mountains of sand, because these are some of the biggest sand dunes I have ever seen.  At the mid point in the round, golfers climb to the very highest point and play along a high seaside plateau.  I can only guess how beautiful the view is.

A narrow uphill approach to the 7th green saddled between two dunes

Originally laid out by Old Tom Morris in 1899, the course was lengthened and redesigned by Tom Simpson and Herbert Fowler in 1926.  Despite its age, the golf course stands up as a great modern links and is a real challenge.  Golfers will face a variety of approaches to each green with some heroic carries and plenty of opportunity to run a golf ball along the ground..  There are only two holes(9 and 10) where I was let down a bit, however these holes link you back to the best ground for golf, sending golfers through a unique class of holes on the back nine.

The jaw dropping and unforgettable "bathtub" green,
the ocean is only a short pitching wedge from the next tee

There are no bells and whistles here (well maybe one bell, on the blind, dogleg, par 3 15th) just great links golf.  Cruden Bay is a must play on your way to the highlands, but remember to bring your coat and a fresh dozen, one never knows what weather or golfing temptations lie ahead.

Dutch Golf from a Designers Point of View

Follow this link to read my latest article about the best links golf in Holland!

Dutch Golf from a Designers Point of View

Earlsferry Golf Links, Elie, Scotland

Before embarking on this trip to Scotland I would often read about the general quirk and variety of its golf courses.  I would not be disappointed at Elie. I walked up to the starter’s hut to the right of the first tee, just like many other golf courses. As I walked in, I noticed a chimney stack sticking out of the roof of the small hut. Much to my surprise that “chimney” was actually a periscope! The scope allows the starter to see over the swollen hillside just 50 yards in front of the 1st tee box (I of course stuck my head right in there to inspect if it actually worked). If not quirky, its certainly a unique and interesting way to begin a round of golf.

The second hole returns parallel to the 1st on a high plateau affording a view of the town and the golf course awaiting.

In an ocean side amphitheater most of the golf course is situated between the sea and a large mountain backdrop. Combined with some very good golf holes this setting proved to be exciting and dramatic.

Elie has also has several blind drives that require some local knowledge and more than a little bravery to negotiate, especially if the wind is up.

If you are staying in St. Andrews the drive to Elie is a short and scenic 20 minutes (1 hour from the airport in Edinburgh). The small town center is adjacent to the golf club, tennis courts, and soccer pitches. The course is not hard to find as it seemed to be the center of activity in town.  Overall Elie is forgiving and fun, making for a wonderful introduction to Scottish links golf.

Dr. Mackenzie in South America, Punta Carretas, Montevideo

I’ve spent the last two months living and working in Punta del Este, Uruguay and took some time to visit 3 courses where Dr. Mackenzie worked way back when.  Club de Golf del Uruguay, Campo de Golf de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires, and Jockey Club.  I’ve been lucky and dogged enough in the last few years to visit his courses in Michigan, California, Australia/New Zealand, and now Uruguay and Argentina.

First Stop:  
Club de Golf del Uruguay (renovated/re-routed by Mackenzie, 1930)
Punta Carretas, Montevideo, Uruguay

Hoyo 4--Par 4
349y/332/314

A sporty track with several short par 4's (from the tips…322y, 349, 325, 304, 338), average length par 3’s  and 5’s.  All the greens are boldly elevated, back to front and well guarded by interesting/arty bunker horizons.  Some of the par 5’s are reachable but not all have a way to run a ball up the front.     The course sits on a promontory above the harbor and gently slopes towards the water.  The routing takes the golfer in all directions up,down, and side to side exploiting ocean views all around.

I found the drainage ditches in front of several of the lower lying greens to be one of the interesting elements found in the context of golden age design and construction.  These drainage swales created some strategic choices on the reachable par 5’s and 4's, risking a tricky chip opposed to laying back with a full wedge….The bunkers were all fairly shallow with convex outside edges (to shed water above the heavy clay soils, no doubt)

Hoyo 8--Par 4
325y/311/301
Drainage path in front of green site

An interesting fact about the club is that the local government requires the grounds to be open to the public at 2pm on Sundays.  No golf but I did see some children romping in the sand traps, runners and picknickers.  Probably a horror at most private clubs in the US, everything seems a little more relaxed down here.  On Monday morning the golf course is open for play to the public all day for no charge!  I walked the whole course Sunday afternoon, but played holes 9-18 (x2) on Monday as the front nine was closed for maintanence.  


For more pictures check out the slideshow!

Punta Carretas

Eureka! We Have Sand!

9th Hole found in the sand.

With just my luck we actually have a huge ridge of sand that encompasses the entire length of the 9th hole.  600 yards long by 100 yards wide nothing but sand, from tee to green.  From this treasure trove we will top dress the fairways and greens and also use for the bunkers.  This parcel also presented the opportunity to create an alternate par-3 8th hole out of pure sand.  Cool!  Here is a picture of the work in progress.

Alternate 8th hole green site

After stripping the native sod, I excavated the bunkers that surround the left and right sides to build up the green pad. Currently, the green is 125 yards from the back tee and slopes 1% from back to front with no movement from side to side.  I've let this sit for a couple of days as I am moving on to more pressing bunker work and contemplating my options to blend the green into the surrounding landscape.

Check out a related blog post back in November when I visited St. George's Golf Course in Long Island

Does Form=Function?

Clay Dough

Nothing makes me miss the sandy links of Bandon, Oregon more than 150 acres of solid Uruguayan clay.  Its dense and solid as a rock and probably better suited for pottery than building a golf course.  I am always looking for a silver lining and I have found that there is a nice sculptural quality to the medium but it can be nearly unworkable without the proper conditions.  A little bit of moisture can be your best friend while carving into a hillside.  Too much water and you might be looking at a 2 day rain delay while you drain the water out of your bunker which is swimming with frogs and mosquitos!  There is a '0' rate of percolation through a well packed bunker floor and may as well be a lake waiting to happen.  I've now learned the hard way to dig temporary outlets in all of my bunkers prior to finishing, in case of a heavy deluge.    I don't have any pictures as it has been just too painful to look at.  Instead check out some more bunker work in progress...

Bunker complex left of 2nd green.  Front right trap was deleted to improve visibilty and redirect water .

At 275 yards the par 4 8th is driveable.  A centerline bunker now lurks just in front of the ideal landing area which will kick your ball towards the putting surface.

Paramount Country Club-- A Restoration, Before and After

Its always a thrill to return to a project and see your finished work.  With new construction this can mean waiting an entire year for the grow-in process to be complete.  In the case of our restoration work at Paramount CC we have gone from 2011 to 1921 in a matter of days.

Paramount CC 7th, before restoration

 Two bunkers were deleted, one from the right and left.  The grassing lines were also adjusted to match the squared off edges of the green with the fairway.  A great look, straight from golf's golden age.

7th hole--in-progress

The transformation happened so quickly in part due to the decision to re-sod all of the disturbed areas instead of re-seeding.  By transplanting sod locally from the nursery and other rough areas out of play, we were able to achieve a finished look very quickly.  

After restoration

Some might ask why not have new sod delivered to the areas of disturbance and the answer lies in the photo illustration below.  Bringing in "new" sod  from off site often leads to a mismatch in color and a look that might take years to blend in.

This was found at a top 100 golf course located in Westchester County.   Clearly the sod surrounding this new sand trap was transplanted from another  location, not a good look.

Takin' it all In, The Bandon Preserve

I decided to publish this one on Out and Back, an online golf journal that I greatly admire. The journal is run by Thomas Dunne, former senior editor for Travel + Leisure Golf magazine. Mr. Dunne's "...site is an attempt to bring some of the qualities that readers enjoy in a printed magazine–among them strong writing, an editorial point-of-view, a commitment to clarity and accuracy–to the Web....Editorially, the goal is to create a haven for original writing and, as resources grow, to fairly compensate professionals and talented “part-time” writers for their work."

I am not only thrilled to be working on this new and exciting project, but also participating in a growing community of online journalism.

Clearing

Clearing is an on-going process throughout the construction of a golf course and an art form all on its own. If you clear too much the golf hole may look out of place and if you clear too little the hole appears crowded. It is a balance that starts by peeling away the layers from the center, out.




Pictured above is a natural area with a sparse covering of beach grass, moss, and native grasses. We are attempting to replicate this look in our initial clearing around the perimeter of this hole. Pictured below is Zach Varty standing in waist-high beach grass prior to clearing. The second photo illustrates the vegetation that Zach and I have manually cleared.




(Before) / (After)










(Before) / (After)

The primary objective of this task was to reveal the contours of the dunes without disturbing the natural land forms. At the same time I am thinking how to visually break up any obvious line between what was cleared and what was not. In some instances we will keep the thin cover "look", gradually blending vegetation into the boundary of play. In other cases, after revealing the true shape of the dunes, the top 6 inches will be carefully stripped and later seeded with native fescue within the playing corridor. Pictured below is an area in front of a green that was cleared by hand. After getting a look at the contours it was decided to strip the remaining moss and grasses to provide a more consistent approach to the green.

An understanding of scale is the key to achieving the right look in any given space, whether working with large trees or low shrubs. While clearing beach grass on the Bandon Preserve I am learning that the transition between the playing corridor and the native areas does not begin on the periphery. Instead, finding what is pleasing to the eye starts closer to the middle. Depending on the particular space, I might skew towards the left or the right to frame a transition between the immediate playing area and the native vegetation. In the context of this project visual symmetry is not necessarily desired while randomness and is favored.