I am writing to let you know that the preferred concept plan for the redesign of our course has been agreed by the Board and is now posted on the website. It has been a long process with some uncontrollable interruptions, but it has been a methodical one with extensive research and member consultation.
The Technical Committee and our course architect were guided by design elements presented to Members in November 2022 when the first concept design was published incorporating the initial thoughts of Phil Jacobs following his visit in February of the same year. Three of these elements related to design. The first was to minimise changes and remain as true as possible to course #5 of 1935. The second was to retain a par 71 (The proposed changes reduce the women’s par to 72 from 73) and the third was to reduce the probability of balls leaving the perimeter of the course. The other elements related to project processes, costs and management.
Members responded positively to the initial concept design but questioned the wisdom of lengthening hole 7 and moving hole 4 back to the M2 / Pennant Hills Road corner. Several members also indicated that par 71 was not necessarily a primary objective as many of the great courses in the world were par 70. The Technical Committee considered these two points as well as other Member-based suggestions, many made in writing and others aired at the series of presentations that followed the November meeting.
As a result of field testing, consideration of other options, consultation with the architect, further Member feedback and the recent visit of Adam Kelland of the Player Group, the Technical Committee agreed that the proposed changes to hole 7 and hole 4 were not desirable but that retaining a par 71 was important. The issue of retaining par 71 was the subject of well-reasoned submissions by some Members pointing out that notwithstanding the realignment of border holes on the course, errant balls leaving the perimeter are always a possibility, however remote. The problem being that moving to a par 70 and later being forced to close or alter a hole by the Road Authority after a ball related incident might reduce the course to par 69 which is an unacceptable outcome. Taking this into account the Committee worked through several options with the architect and presented a concept plan to the Board that included changes to four holes. These are:
- Shortening of the 2nd hole by some 50 metres and the re-alignment of the tee making a more acute dog leg shape.
- Shortening of the 3rd hole to par 4 including lowering of the forward tee and removing bunkers and some trees between 3 and 12 as well as bringing the green forward.
- Lengthening the 11th into a par 5 for the men by playing the hole to a similar location of the existing 3rd green.
- Lengthening the 12th to a longer par 5 and playing to a hole in similar location of the existing 2nd green including removing of a few trees between 12 and 2.
After field testing, the Board enthusiastically approved the Concept Design that is outlined in the accompanying PDF.
Click here to view
The Architect is now completing the Detailed Design which will enable the earth works and soil quantities to be calculated and a rolling budget over this year and subsequent years to be prepared.
The Detailed Design will be presented to Members early in the New Year before we commence construction of one temporary green and the rebuilding of hole 16A to USGA standards.
I am delighted that we have reached this point and I look forward to sharing the Detailed Design with you. I am also grateful for the considerable work and long hours spent by the Technical Committee in steering the project to this point as I am the unequivocable support of fellow Board members, the input of our previous and now acting Course Superintendent, our Head Professional and our General Manger.
Regards,
Damian Maguire
CAPTAIN
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