|
Dingley Dell - Extension of an existing course
Mark Achieved - 'A+' Dingley Dell was my second design assignment and was aimed at looking at the extension of an existing course following the procurement of additional land to the south of the course. It was also necessary to allow for a practice area adjacent to the clubhouse and to also balance the nines. A returning ninth green was not part of the brief but I was able to route the course so as to provide for this. The new land allowed for four new holes plus the extension of the fourth and the re-use of the fifth green within the new sixth hole. The course was also bereft of a decent length par 5 and the new layout provided for a true three-shotter on both nines - the seventh and the sixteenth. A further extra over and above the brief was the creation of a three hole short course which lies next to the practice area and which supplements the practice facilities as a whole. |
|
Toppleoff Mountain - New 18 hole course / 9 hole short course / Range and associated infrastructure
Mark Achieved - 'A+'
My brief was to complete a site and slope analysis on a topographically challenging property, with a view to route an 18 hole course of 6,400 metres as well as provide a full length driving range, associated short game practice areas and 9-hole short course.
It was also necessary to complete detailed cross sectional drawings to demonstrate any cut & fill requirements.
My aim when completing the routing was to find two loops of nine holes which returned to the clubhouse and kept any uphill holes / climbs to an absolute minimum.
Further details can be found in my blog.
Mark Achieved - 'A+'
My brief was to complete a site and slope analysis on a topographically challenging property, with a view to route an 18 hole course of 6,400 metres as well as provide a full length driving range, associated short game practice areas and 9-hole short course.
It was also necessary to complete detailed cross sectional drawings to demonstrate any cut & fill requirements.
My aim when completing the routing was to find two loops of nine holes which returned to the clubhouse and kept any uphill holes / climbs to an absolute minimum.
Further details can be found in my blog.
Great Orme - Earthworks and Re-contouring Exercise
Mark Achieved - 'A+'
Great Orme was my initial assignment when first starting the vocational qualification. This most recent assignment took the design process from a basic routing exercise and developed it into a re-contouring exercise for three holes within the layout.
It was necessary to ensure that any earthworks moved water away from the playing surfaces whilst at the same time maintaining the strategic intent of the original design. The images below illustrate the contour plans drawn at 0.5 metre intervals for tees and greens.
Mark Achieved - 'A+'
Great Orme was my initial assignment when first starting the vocational qualification. This most recent assignment took the design process from a basic routing exercise and developed it into a re-contouring exercise for three holes within the layout.
It was necessary to ensure that any earthworks moved water away from the playing surfaces whilst at the same time maintaining the strategic intent of the original design. The images below illustrate the contour plans drawn at 0.5 metre intervals for tees and greens.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Workshop Exercise
During our recent workshop in Estoril, Portugal we visited a couple of courses which had either associated hotel or housing.
Ribagolfe was one such course and we were asked to provide a green detail (to 0.125m contour) for a new 8th hole. The current 8th is a par three with a relatively flat green and the new hole was to remain as a par 3.
My design had a sizeable green of over 650m2 which would have 'compartments' within it separated by low rises and ridges. The green itself was set into a left to right side slope so was raised slightly on the right side - it was also protected on the left and front right by two bunkers, a shallow swale cut in front of the green giving the appearance of a slight false front.
The main 'daily play' portion of the green occupies the bulk of the left hand side of the putting surface. At the immediate front is a small plateau for a tricky front pin location. The right edge has a shelf separated from the front portion by a ridge that partially extends from the upper tier into the lower section. This shelf continues to the right rear of the green via a low ridge and is where the competition pin would be put.
It is important that water (blue arrows) is able to be shed off the playing surfaces and there are numerous routes where this can occur at the front, side and rear of the green. Also it is vital that any surface water is intercepted prior to reaching the green on its high side - in this case a mound and swale create the barrier. Similarly, bunkers should also be protected as is the case with the front right bunker.
During our recent workshop in Estoril, Portugal we visited a couple of courses which had either associated hotel or housing.
Ribagolfe was one such course and we were asked to provide a green detail (to 0.125m contour) for a new 8th hole. The current 8th is a par three with a relatively flat green and the new hole was to remain as a par 3.
My design had a sizeable green of over 650m2 which would have 'compartments' within it separated by low rises and ridges. The green itself was set into a left to right side slope so was raised slightly on the right side - it was also protected on the left and front right by two bunkers, a shallow swale cut in front of the green giving the appearance of a slight false front.
The main 'daily play' portion of the green occupies the bulk of the left hand side of the putting surface. At the immediate front is a small plateau for a tricky front pin location. The right edge has a shelf separated from the front portion by a ridge that partially extends from the upper tier into the lower section. This shelf continues to the right rear of the green via a low ridge and is where the competition pin would be put.
It is important that water (blue arrows) is able to be shed off the playing surfaces and there are numerous routes where this can occur at the front, side and rear of the green. Also it is vital that any surface water is intercepted prior to reaching the green on its high side - in this case a mound and swale create the barrier. Similarly, bunkers should also be protected as is the case with the front right bunker.
|
|
Carton House - Three hole extension of existing golf course and integrated real estate
Mark Achieved - 'B Merit'
Mark Achieved - 'B Merit'
This assignment asked us to look at the development of three new holes and their incorporation within a real-estate development at Carton House, Dublin, Ireland. The brief covers detailed contouring from 1m down to 0.125m for the three holes as well as indicative drainage and cut & fill analysis.
Focussing on the O'Meara course we have been provided with a parcel of land from the adjacent Montgomerie layout to design three holes and provide for a minimum of 5.5 hectares of useable land for real estate development. The brief also requires that we allow for the creation of a 100m x 300m practice area adjacent to the first tee. This has resulted in a small number of holes being re-routed and three holes being lost altogether.
Initially I looked at a site analysis - highlighting potential playing corridors as well as those areas which would be suitable for housing. From this I developed my three hole routing and real estate plan. My re-arrangement of the existing course resulted in the loss of a par 3, 4 & 5 hole so I was keen to see that these were replaced, however it is important to always consider safety corridors are maintained and walks from green to tee are kept to a minimum. Whilst the corridors appear very linear on plan the use of contouring and planting will help to break up the straight lines and create visual interest for the golfer.
Focussing on the O'Meara course we have been provided with a parcel of land from the adjacent Montgomerie layout to design three holes and provide for a minimum of 5.5 hectares of useable land for real estate development. The brief also requires that we allow for the creation of a 100m x 300m practice area adjacent to the first tee. This has resulted in a small number of holes being re-routed and three holes being lost altogether.
Initially I looked at a site analysis - highlighting potential playing corridors as well as those areas which would be suitable for housing. From this I developed my three hole routing and real estate plan. My re-arrangement of the existing course resulted in the loss of a par 3, 4 & 5 hole so I was keen to see that these were replaced, however it is important to always consider safety corridors are maintained and walks from green to tee are kept to a minimum. Whilst the corridors appear very linear on plan the use of contouring and planting will help to break up the straight lines and create visual interest for the golfer.
Carton House - Revised Routing
Carton House - Site Analysis
|
Carton House - Real Estate Plan
|
As soon as I was happy with the layout I began work on the green details for each hole.
Initially I make a quick sketch drawing of how I envision the green to work with regards to playing strategy.
In the case of the 14th I wanted the green to climb gently from front left to back right along a similar slope to that of the existing ground, although the green itself will be raised about .75m to 1m above grade. As it is a par 5 I wanted to create small areas on the green that would be suitable to accept a short iron approach. It was also important that the front of the green be fairly open to allow a well struck low running second shot to make it onto the green.
The design developed into an 'L' shape - effectively becoming two distinct areas. The front and middle portions would be fairly level protected on the right by a greenside bunker - the rear portion would be tucked to the rear right and any approach shot would need to carry the full length of the bunker. To the left and rear of the green I created a run-off area which would be mown at fairway height - this would offer interesting recovery shots that could be either pitched or chip and run onto the green.
After I am happy with the strategy design I draw contours onto the green complex and add those areas which are to be retained as being pinnable.
From this sketch I work and re-work the contours - looking primarily at slope ratios to ensure that they are neither too steep or shallow - and also how these slopes interact with not only the playing of the hole but also how they impact on the maintenance of the green. Ultimately I end up with a series of drawings as such...........
Initially I make a quick sketch drawing of how I envision the green to work with regards to playing strategy.
In the case of the 14th I wanted the green to climb gently from front left to back right along a similar slope to that of the existing ground, although the green itself will be raised about .75m to 1m above grade. As it is a par 5 I wanted to create small areas on the green that would be suitable to accept a short iron approach. It was also important that the front of the green be fairly open to allow a well struck low running second shot to make it onto the green.
The design developed into an 'L' shape - effectively becoming two distinct areas. The front and middle portions would be fairly level protected on the right by a greenside bunker - the rear portion would be tucked to the rear right and any approach shot would need to carry the full length of the bunker. To the left and rear of the green I created a run-off area which would be mown at fairway height - this would offer interesting recovery shots that could be either pitched or chip and run onto the green.
After I am happy with the strategy design I draw contours onto the green complex and add those areas which are to be retained as being pinnable.
From this sketch I work and re-work the contours - looking primarily at slope ratios to ensure that they are neither too steep or shallow - and also how these slopes interact with not only the playing of the hole but also how they impact on the maintenance of the green. Ultimately I end up with a series of drawings as such...........
Initial sketch showing basic contours
|
Contour / Drainage Plan
|
Rendered drawing
|
