Dealing with the New Greens Chairperson

“As a golf course architect what suggestions can you give a superintendent on how to deal with a new green chairman who wants to play golf architect?”

I have been designing and building golf courses for nearly 25 years.  The beauty and challenge of having been at it for so long is that I have had the pleasure of working with several clubs for over 15 years…which means I have had to deal with a fair share of green chairperson turnover.

Sometimes the transition is seamless, as the new chair might have been a long standing member of the greens committee and shared in establishing the direction of the Club.  Other times it can be a mutiny where a greens chair is being pushed out due to philosophical disagreements or personality conflicts. 

As a golf course superintendent the relationship with the greens chair can vary in many ways.  There are those that take on an aggressive approach with the superintendent, trying to set and push forward a personal agenda that may or may not be productive and/or best for the golf course.  There are also those that will defer to the knowledge of the golf course superintendent regarding most issues on the golf course…this can work well and be productive as long the superintendent has a clear and manageable vision.  Usually the relationship between the superintendent and the greens chair falls somewhere in between these extremes.

In order to establish credibility with a new green chair there must be clear and concise objectives set forth as well as a communication protocol that is productive.

1.       A Look Back

A great place to start with a new green chair is to bring them up to speed with what has gone on over the last season or two.  This means outlining the good and the bad.  It means developing a clear picture of the golf course from an historical perspective to allow the new green chair to work from a point of knowledge and understanding.

2.       Golf Course Master Plan

If a master plan is in place that was developed by a qualified golf course architect, this will answer a lot of questions the new green chair may have.  A comprehensive golf course master plan identifies enhancement opportunities throughout the golf course considering strategic, agronomic and aesthetic issues.  The master plan will also address playability for all skill levels, maintainability of the features on the course and life cycle planning for bunkers, greens, cart paths and tees.  If the course has an historic pedigree a Master Restoration Plan is the best tool to ensure that any improvements to the course are restorative in nature and embrace the course’s past. 

3.       USGA Visit and Site Report

The USGA provides an invaluable site analysis service that delivers the golf course superintendent and the greens committee recommendations regarding overall maintenance practices, agronomic and environmental conditions, tree management and general enhancement ideas.  The USGA report along with the Golf Course Master Plan are the main tools which give direction and rationale to the improvement process.  These tools also give credibility to the planning and execution process allowing the greens chairperson and committee to work more productively with Club Boards and Club Administration.

4.       Make it Official

Clubs may also decide to have Golf Course Master Plans and supporting improvements directives and recommendations written into the by laws of the Club.  This will provide for clear direction, consistent results and quickly resolve disagreements regarding architectural ideas.  As with every Master Plan, there should be some level of flexibility allowing for productive discussion, but the plan should establish a path that is consistent with the overall goals and objectives of the Club.  

It is important that the green chairperson doesn’t seek to put their singular stamp on the golf course.  I can’t tell you how many times I have dealt with greens committees and chairs that have just returned from some resort golf vacation, saw a unique style or feature and insisted that they needed this feature on their course. 

It is also important that the relationship between the golf course superintendent the new greens chair begin from a point of mutual respect.  In many cases the new greens chair brings extensive golf knowledge either through travel or as an avid player that may add value to the planning of improvements to the golf course.  Enhancements to the golf course should always be a team effort.  In fact, I have found that in most cases the original ideas for change built into a master plan only get better when executed with an engaged team.

Quite simply, the best way to deal with a new greens chair who wants to play architect is to hire a qualified golf course architect to work with the Club.  This can be as simple as a consulting relationship to address and solve specific issues on the golf course or can extend to the provision of a comprehensive golf course master plan for the course.  I either case the architect will work closely “with” the chairperson, the committee and the golf course superintendent in the best interest of the Club.  This also has a tendency to take some of the pressure off both the golf course superintendent and the greens chair when addressing club members, committees and boards.

Integrating the Golf Course Master Plan with the commission of a USGA report and the provision of an education session by the golf course superintendent with the new greens chairperson will provide the necessary foundation for a strong productive relationship.

Finding WIllie Park Jr. at Milton Hoosic Club

McNeil chosen to complete Comprehensive Master  Restoration/Renovation Plan at Milton Hoosic Club.

 

Robert McNeil, ASGCA has begun the task of developing a long range Comprehensive Master Restoration/Renovation Plan at the Milton Hoosic Club in Canton, Massachusetts.

The Milton Hoosic Club was established in 1891 making it one of the oldest Clubs in the country.  It’s design pedigree trace back to Willie Park Jr.  According to a Club History Willie Park Jr, was engaged by the board of (at the time) Hoosic-Whisick in 1916 to redesign what was a very informal layout developed in 1897.  The Club was elected into the USGA in 1897 and to the Massachusetts Golf Association in 1903 making it one of the original 48 clubs and a charter member.

It is also documented in the Clubs history that Parks design included cutting through the pine forest to develop what are now holes 6, 7 and 8.  Holes 2, 3 and 4 were also redesigned and lengthened as directed by Park.  The redesign work took several years with a halt in construction during WWI. The new holes and the layout as it is today were reopened in 1921.

It is evident that Park Jr. left an imprint at Milton Hoosic.  His crossing hazards can be found on the 5^th and 7^th as well as a lost crossing bunker on the 9^th seen as recent as on the 1969 photo.  The routing of the golf course also takes on a very natural flow with seemingly little earthmoving with green locations positioned so as to take advantage of the given topography. 

The Master Plan will identify the value of the many historic elements either still part of the course or that have been lost.  The work includes bunker renovation and restoration, establishing a comprehensive tee program to give the course maximum flexibility, a tree management program and recontouring and expansion of greens and fairways to bring back the original strategic lines on the course.

 

 

Parks’ Cop Bunkers separating the 2^nd and 3^rd at Milton Hoosic

Walking the Golf Course "Newport Country Club"

I know it’s been awhile, but I am happy to say I haven’t posted a walk quite frankly because I have been working straight out on golf projects for the past 12 months.

That said, what better way to get back into the swing that to go back in time.  Last week I had the honor of playing with the members (I am one) of the Rhode Island Golf Course Superintendents Associations at the venerable Newport Country Club.  I had been to Newport CC on several occasions, the 2006 Women’s Open, a past RIGSA meeting in a driving rain and wind storm and as a Bryant College alumni at the Presidents Cup, but had not had the occasion of playing the course on a sunny…really perfect fall day. 

The drive to Newport CC is as dazzling as it gets if you take the long way… rolling down Bellevue past Marble House, The Breakers and Rosecliff among other extraordinary testaments to the gilded age….then along Ocean Ave with the sea crashing into the massive rocky outcrops along the coast.  Further inland as you approach Harrison Avenue you heart beat slows passing the pastoral fields of Surprise Valley Farm or Swiss Village to the locals which houses rare livestock grazing along rock walled hillsides. 

 

Dorset Horned Sheep

This all sets the stage for your turn into history.  Along a stretch of Harrison Avenue, you take a quiet turn into Newport Country Club.  The entrance is quite unassuming until you look about a 4 iron ahead.  The restored Beaux Arts style clubhouse in true Newport grandeur spreads with open arms overlooking Brenton Point.  With all its class, history and architectural detail, the experience of visiting the Club remains very unassuming as you literally park on the lawn…though marked with wooden posts as a parking lot for the members….in front of the clubhouse.  This low key philosophy is part of the charm and is carried through the club staff and right to the first tee.

The course dates back to 1893 on what was known as Rocky Farm.  Several wealthy business/sportsman led by Theodore Havemeyer, (yes the first President of the USGA and yes the Havemeyer Trophy earned by the top United States Amateur), developed a 9 hole layout designed by William Davis in 1894.  Newport hosted the first US Open in 1895 won by Horace Rawlins.  The course was then expanded to 18 holes in 1915 by Donald Ross…still not satisfied with the course; A.W. Tillinghast was brought in to remodel the course in 1923.

  

  

Clubhouse view from the 18th fairway

   

It hadn’t rained of any significance in a month, so the course played about as firm and fast as I’d hoped.  The course opens quietly with a shortish 489 yard par 5 with the tee tucked up against the right wing of the clubhouse and the front turnaround.  On the front 9 you push hard against the wind on holes 1 through 4.  On the 4^th it has become apparent that your grit and patience will be tested.  The 4^th runs parallel to Ocean Avenue (waves crashing to the player’s left) and stretches to 242 yards from the back and is aptly named Graves Point…likely for some old guy, but death comes to mind as the teeth of the wind forces either the big stick or a smarter..though not for me…lay up play off the tee.  Bunkers frame the “grave” on the left and right, if found will certainly lead to double.

The designed forgiveness of Newport is the tight bents and fescues in the fairways and green approaches.  On many occasions it makes perfect sense to bring out the Texas Wedge from well off the green and try and manage the contours to the cup.  A lofted club takes very steady hands and the contours of the greens require deftness of touch.

Hole 3 "Ocean"

When stepping on to the 5^th the wind comes off the sea and gives a bit of confidence to swing a little harder.  You’ll need to as the “Polo Shed” sits in the distance over a slight rise at 451 yards.  The wind again is at your back  at 7 then 9 coming in. 

The 9^th is a testy, left to right bending par 4 with a corner begging to be challenged.  With bunkers and fingering sliver ditches protecting the corner it makes a lot more sense to play to the broad fairway to the left…this of course will give you the best line into the green which lies almost perfectly upgrade toward the clubhouse.  The short bunkering is masterfully deceptive..maybe a leftover Ross element, with 30 yards of approach hidden over the broad shoulders.

Hole 8 "Willows"

 Your head for home starts again with a very playable and quite enjoyable 572 yard par 5 falling down into a lower meadow of holes (10-13).  The 11^th, the quirky…sporty 298 yard short 4 gets you a little jacked up.  Going at it is ill advised as the risk may not warrant the reward.  A large Sahara bunker runs along the right side from 100 plus yards out, into the green.  Some modifications have been made recently that now provide a hallway into the green, but it is still slight and maybe not worth the trouble….sounds like I’m describing all the elements of a great short 4, my favorite type of hole.

Your climb out of the meadow holes ends on the great par 3, 13^th.  The first of back to back par threes that you will not forget.   The 13^th “Club” at 166 yards is set into the hillside with rock outcrops to right and bunkering short right and left of the green.  The green is pitched strongly from back to front…below the hole is a must.  The 14^th “Plateau” is more like a precipice or edge with the world falling away on the left side.  A large gathering of sand sits on the plateau right of the green.  The strategic beauty of the hole is the run on to the green surface from the right.

Hole 14 "Plateau"

The finishing 4 are a little less intense, but challenging nonetheless all leading to the triple tiered green on the home 18^th.  From a high rock supported perch the 18^th plays down into a low valley then back up to terrace on the right of the clubhouse.  Getting on the right tier is critical, as is finding the green.  Any play from an adjacent lie will force the player to manage the confusing crossing contours.

You cannot help but become immersed in the history of Newport.  Hevemeyer did, Ross did, Tillinghast did….McNeil did.

Robert McNeil, ASGCA

Golf Architect

The Northeast Golf Company

www.northeastgolfcompany.com

Walking the Golf Course-"Talking to Cows" - Green Valley Country Club

Traveling along the inner pastures and the shoreline of the Aquidneck Island peninsula measuring a mere 15 miles at its longest point and just over 4 miles at its widest, you will be captured by the historic towns of Newport, Portsmouth and Middletown.  In that short drive you will pass by not less than six golf courses including some with “world renowned” associated with their names.  Wanumetonomy, Montaup, Newport National, Carnegie Abby and Newport Country Club rest just a very short jaunt from the subject of this month’s walk, Green Valley Country Club.

When I arrived at Green Valley I was quickly surrounded by Joe Oliveira, the clubs golf course superintendent, former long time superintendent, Gary Sykes and Club staff ready to talk and walk Green Valley.  The tone of the visit was quickly summed up when I posed the question….who is Manny Raposa? Instantly smiles were cast upon their faces and the stories began to spew.  I knew this was a special man.

Play on the 1st green at Green Valley...on original.

 

Manny Raposa built Green Valley…literally with his own hands.  After being the victim of an eminent domain taking, Raposa purchased a parcel in the middle of Portsmouth with a vision for something special.  Prior to succumbing to the hand of Raposa, the land produced potatoes and grazed dairy for many years.  In 1957 the original 9 holes at Green Valley were constructed by Raposa with the machines and tools of the era.  An on course museum to the tools of the trade can be found in the shadows of the trees beside the 4th tee. 

Yes, this old scraper was used to level the tees!

 

When viewing historical photography, the only hole that remains completely intact (possibly with some length added at the tee) from the original layout is the 1^st hole.  In 1966 additional land was purchased to the northwest of the then 6th green to construct what has become the back 9 at Green Valley.  This portion of the property was different in character and feel running up and down slopes, traversing through woodlands and streams and ultimately providing some of the more appealing holes on the course, namely the back to back par 3 11^th and 12^th, the quietly uphill turning par 4 13^th, and the trackside 15^th.  Raposa was not quite finished as he would expand to the east of the (quite good in its day, 210 yard par 3 2^nd hole).  Here a new 2^nd and 3^rd hole as well as a new 4^th tee resulted in a rerouting of the front 9 replacing weak holes with the much stronger 4^th through 9^th.

The quietly left to right sweeping par 4 13th.  (reroute the cart path and add a bunker complex on the right corner and we'd really have something)...very strong hole to a uniquely domed green with fortress mounding in front.

Raposa was certainly not traditionally trained to design golf courses, but proved to be adept at reading the land.  He was realistic in his abilities and would often reach out to the local golf course superintendents to pick their brain on design and feature construction.  Much was accomplished through trial and error until he got it right.

In listening to the tales of Mr. Oliviera and Mr. Sykes and the long time staff at Green Valley the man takes on a legendary, almost mythical Paul Bunyan type character.  When we got to the 10^th green Mr. Sykes, the long time former superintendent at Green Valley that spent many years working with Raposa relayed the story the stopped us all in our tracks and cemented the man’s mythical sense.

While building the holes on the new back 9 cows from neighboring farms would sometimes wander onto the golf course.  You can imagine the damage a 1200 pound heifer could do to a newly seeded green.  Mr. Sykes encountered this exact situation and was making very little headway in attempting to get the cows to move off the property.  Bring in Manny Raposa, who apparently speaks bovine.  As Sykes puts it, "Mr. Raposa calmly spoke to the cows one a time to the point where they were entranced allowing him to rope them and tie them to a nearby tree allowing work to continue." Talking to cows was yet another talent that Mr. Raposa had garnered working on the farm.

The par 3 5th rebuilt by Sykes and Raposa

 

The course is admittedly a working man’s club.  True to its hands on heritage, the course offers vegetables to its players from small gardens scattered about.  If you plan on a little eggplant parmesan for dinner, just grab a few between 7 and 8 and throw them in your bag.

 

Take an eggplant for the road!

What surprised me most architecturally were the subtleties in the greens.  Though the bunkering was rather rudimentary, (bunker left bunker right of the green), the surfaces offered plenty of scale and numerous strategic pinning options.  Many of the greens were pushed up with moderate to severe fronting slopes that add great value to the edge of green contours and require precise club selection.

With some time spent on the bunkering, the layouts value would truly be enhanced.  Nonetheless, the conditioning, challenge and character of the property with rebuilt meandering farm walls, some (though more should be created with tree management) long vistas across the pastoral Portsmouth landscape and the Club’s inviting nature, make Manny Raposa’s creation at  Green Valley a wonderful legacy to enjoy.

Hand Stacked Stone Walls between holes 2 and 3

 

 

 

 

 

Walking the Golf Course- "Turning Back Time" at Sakonnet Golf Club

 

As soon as you roll past Nonquit Pond traveling along Route 77…more quaintly and aptly called Main Street, your eyes lock west and the name changes to West Main Street.  You are now captured by a pastoral landscape that gently unfolds down to the shores of the Sakonnet River.  Past Donavan Marsh you continue due south engulfed in the farmland stretching all around you. A few more miles and you come upon a fork in the road, Warren Point Road to the left, Sakonnet Point Road to the right.  Do you want to explore the sandy shores of Briggs Marsh with its mouth opening to the broad Atlantic or have a go at Sakonnet Golf Club.  Since this is the Linksman….we’re going golfing.

When you pull up to Sakonnet, it might as well be 1957 or somewhere there abouts…just a bit before my time.  The simple charm of the Cape Cod shingle clad clubhouse, the screen doors slamming, and the men’s locker room ...about as big as one of the Real Housewives of NJ’s closets….filled with golf shoe cubbies,  the place bleeds unpretentious. 

Shingle clad clubhouse at Sakonnet

 

My walk at Sakonnet, as with most of my walks, began with a chat with the guy that knows the most about the place, golf course superintendent and likely director of most everything at Sakonnet, Mr. Kirk Whiting.  Kirk has been at Sakonnet for 30 some odd years and loves the place.  Hard to blame him with the sun setting over the Sakonnet River as you look out his office window.  But I got the distinct feeling that the greensward of Sakonnet was Kirk’s office and perfect conditions on the late summer day of my walk proved that he spent a lot of time in the “office”.  Kirk follows a short list of greenskeeping predecessors in the Clubs long history; four since 1909: Clarence E. Grin-nell, until 1946; Leroy H. Wordell through 1960; his son, William Wordell until 1981, then Mr. Whiting.

The rocky edge of the Sakonnet River

The place is riddled with history.  Kirk quickly pointed out Battery Gray, hidden within the overgrown brush adjacent to the practice area near his shop.  Battery 107, as it was formerly known, built during WWII and completed in 1942, is a reinforced concrete 16 inch coastal gun battery located on the West Reservation of Fort Church. Renamed Battery Gray after Major Quinn Gray.

The course’s architecture is simple, born from the eyes and hands of Donald Ross and his associate Walter Hatch in 1922.  The result of an expansion from previous 6 and 9 hole layouts. Ross’ summer retreat in Little Compton, a mere 10 minutes from Sakonnet gave the master architect full access to his work for long term tinkering purposes. His hand prints are all over the place.

Deep crossing swale in front of the par 3 6th

The design statement can be found right out of the gate as the first 5 holes touch or present broad views of the Sakonnet River.  This setting coupled with Ross’ classic green styling and greenside strategy is enough to get your blood flowing. Historic stone walls…in place long before Ross arrived, remain quietly stacked, framing holes 1 thru 4 as well as scattered all over the course.  Crossing bunkers are also found here and there protecting the “down to the sea” par 3 2^nd and the blind par 5 3^rd. 

Looking out to the river beyond the horizon of the 1st green

Recent restorative work by Whiting and architect Gil Hanse has recaptured many of the lost corners of the golf course, expanded the greens and reestablished the severe fall offs along the edges of the green pads.  Hanse made a further statement with the stunning “new” 9^th hole.  A wonderful “Rossian” par 3 that once again brings players to the edge of the sea.  Walking up the ancient stone steps onto the 17^th tee brings the player to new heights and presents a view across a vast marsh to the reachable though devilish green at the short par 4.

The classicly styled par 3 9th

I would highly recommend “Where Stone Walls Meet the Sea”, the 614-page centennial history of Sakonnet Golf Club, by Christopher Rawson, to enjoy the great story of this special golfing corner of the world.

...and as always I would love to hear your comments on and your experiences at..Sakonnet Golf Club.

Special thanks to Kirk Whiting, CGCS, Sakonnet Golf Club.

Reference: "Where Stone Walls Meet the Sea", Christopher Rawson, 1999

 

"Elegance by the Shore"- Walking the Golf Course...Point Judith Country Club, Narragansett, RI

Elegance by the shore, let’s take a walk along the fairways of Point Judith Country Club in Narragansett, Rhode Island. 

Point Judith is a village and a small cape, on the coast of Narragansett, Rhode Island, on the western side of Narragansett Bay where it opens out onto Rhode Island Sound. It is the location for the principal year-round ferry service that connects Block Island to the mainland and contains the fishing hamlet of Galilee, Rhode Island. 

Point Judith was named in the seventeenth century after Judith Thatcher who was a passenger on a small vessel with her father when it ran aground on the point and was almost wrecked.  Allegedly, Judith rendered great service and as a result the vessel was saved.  In remembrance of this, the crew called the point after her name.

 

The original Clubhouse at Point Judith Country Club

Golf can be traced back to its earliest days across the Narragansett Bay form Point Judith at the venerable Newport Country Club in 1890…originally known as Brenton Point, a nine hole layout butting up against the crashing Atlantic.  It was there where businessmen of the day began to take up the game and become engrossed in its sporting nature over the natural landscape of Point Judith.  

Using clubs resembling hockey and field hockey sticks and the gutta percha ball golfers established the humble beginnings of the game in the US.  It is funny how the equipment of the day dictated golf course design.  With the best players never being able to hit the ball more than 200 yards, the hazards were placed accordingly.  Today we find these short (sometimes crossing) hazards scattered throughout older courses…and in many cases sadly grassed over for the option of a new bunker set to challenges the far reaches of today’s equipment.

It is not so well documented, but the origins of Point Judith go back to 1894 with a 9 hole layout by William Davis. Davis was the first golf professional to come to the Americas in 1881, serving briefly as greenskeeper at Royal Montreal.  After leaving for a period, he returned to the United States and became golf professional at Newport Country Club laying out a 9 hole members course and 6 hole beginners course….talking about being ahead of your time.  Newport and Point Judith will be forever connected through “Willie” Davis as that same year he laid out its original 9 holes.   In the early 1900’s in response to a growing membership Point Judith CC expanded to 18 holes under the guidance of an able member.  It is not until 1929 when records of a “professional”, presumed by many to be Donald Ross, can be found in connection with improvements to the course.  Later restorative directives by Ron Pritchard have brought a bit of polish back to a storied piece of land.

 

Architecturally the course is fun, offering great variety and the typical old school strategy like the rock piles in front of the 1^st tee, wonderful crossing bunkers at 3 and 18 and the postage stamp par 3 9^th with sand nestled up on all sides. The grand saharas running between holes 6, 7 and 8 provide a glimpse into well thought out classic design…the question is were these there historically or was this an added dimension during a previous renovation project….either way they fit the fun and strategy of each of the holes and certainly get your attention.

 

Grassed rock wall crossing in front of #1 tee

 

 

Trio of bunkers breaking the grade crossing #18

 

Looking into the Sahara bunker along the left side of #6

 

All of the elements of the classic era can be found on one hole or another…the short par 4 raised 4^th green falling away to trouble on all sides…same goes for the 12th, the false front carved across the lead onto the 5^th green, the short crossing bunkers on the long par 4 17^th deceptively shortening your eye and the front to back fall away 6^th green.  Ross or not, the elements seem to be consistent with his work in the 20’s and are certainly a joy to play.  The course was built in an era that embraced strategy rather than length, in fact you could go as far as to say they even disregarded par for the value of the half shot penalty, especially on and around the greens.  Playing areas were generous and the use of the natural flow of the topography was paramount.  All this can be found at Point Judith.

 

Perched 12th green guarded front left and right

 

One more element that caught my eye was the absolutely perfect colonial bentgrass tennis courts. Five to be exact, maintained as tight as any approach on the course, with...while I was there, hundreds of kids feet stampeding for another back hand.

 Colonial Bent Tennis Courts

Back on the course, though some polishing is necessary to recapture the true essence of the bunkering, most would be gained by reestablishing the fairway contouring and original green surfaces and surrounds.  This effort would bring a whole new dimension to the strategy, playability and visual engagement the course would offer.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBizUhIkpGI&feature=plcp

 

The course is in the very able hands of Brett Johnson and with a little paint and a sharp blade the classic edges of the course can be recaptured.

 

Special Thanks to Brett Johnson, CGCS, Point Judith Country Club

Reference: "Discovering Donald Ross"- Bradley Klein; "Centennial Book-Point Judith Country Club"

Walking the Golf Course- North Kingstown Golf Course...by Ross disciple, Walter Irving Johnson

Walking the Golf Course- North Kingstown Golf Course

Been away for a bit traveling and getting inspired in Montana, Maine and of course on the baseball field with my two boys.  I thought in the heat of summer busy..ness it would be a good time to stay close to home so I made a visit over to North Kingstown Golf Course to play a course I hadn’t played in a while and try to decipher its connection to Ross.

In many ways Donald Ross’ work is scattered well beyond the estimated 400 courses he touched in his illustrious career.  The only way to execute such a large body of work at a time when ships and trains were the main mode of transportation was to have some help.  And Ross had a lot of help.  There is a great section in the book “Discovering Donald Ross”, by Bradley Klein that outlines the many Associates that brought Ross’ work to life overseeing construction and executing Ross’ design directives.  When deciphering an old Ross plan, quite often the hatch marks representing vertical movement are recognizable as are the ubiquitous notations “+1.6 rise from bottom”, “bunker 4’6” deep cut into face of knoll”.  In some cases research will dig up field sketches with hand written notes in script; most plans found are those that have been formalized at the hand of Walter Irving Johnson.

 

Johnson sketch of Holston Hills (from Discovering Donald Ross)

Johnson, a licensed professional engineer joined Ross in 1920.  Johnson was adept at working with engineered blueprints as well as communicating with detailed perspectives and cross-sections.  As architects and historians the drawings we are most familiar with today are those of Walter Johnson.  His career with Ross spanned until 1934 followed by part time work through 1938.  His solo efforts are very few, but include 9 holes at Potowomut Country Club in East Greenwich and North Kingstown Golf Course in 1944, then its complete renovation in 1966 while the chief engineer at the Quonset Naval Air Station.  His technical skill can be witnessed firsthand on the original construction drawings which hang on the wall in NKGC Pro Shop.

Today, North Kingstown Golf Course shares its name with the town is serves and is a busy place.  The course was expanded from a very rudimentary 9 hole short course to its current layout providing a great variety of holes over subtly rolling terrain nestled up against the still active Quonset Naval Air Station.

The perched and well protected 7^th green

The opening holes meander quite comfortably over somewhat flattish terrain well defined by trees, (a few too many) and native areas.  The feeling changes dramatically as you step onto the downhill par 4 13^th.  To the right a broad fescue meadow runs the length of the hole terminating at the tarmac of the Naval Station.  Large carriers actively taxi, take off and land with engines echoing over the golf course.  Though loud and ominous to the eye, the distraction is seemingly minimal as you become part of the scene.

The approach to the 13^th is the most difficult on the course.  The green surface is tiny when considering the longish approach falling off quickly in the front, right and back and bunkering set in tight on the right. 

Military force in harm’s way of a slight mishit to the right on 13

The finish only gets stronger at 14 where players are faced with a 200+ yard par 3 running parallel with the runway framed by fescues on the left and large sprawling bunkers short and right.  The green is plenty large to accept long irons and hybrids, but a 3 here will require accuracy and putting prowess.

The 15^th is the best hole on the course playing from tees set back deep along the shores of Fry’s pond.  The tee shot is up to a plateau fairway with a turn from left to right that is well protected by mature trees.  Missing left will certainly result in a crooked number on the card.  Some of the bunkering remains from the 1944 layout and has been incorporated into the latter design set short of the green.  The surface is pushed against a short back slope with a long bunker at the right set into the native pines.

 

The wonderful tee shot over Fry’s Pond at the 15th

16-18 are a bit quirky, but fun to play.  The 16^th plays hard from right to left with the approach from a high turning fairway to a low set green cut into a far slope.  The green pitches severely from back to front, leaving it below the pin is a must.  The 17^th is a fun short par 4 playing through a tight shoot to an open fairway lined by yew trees on the left.  The play is right center to avoid a large tree pinching into the hole from the left just short of the green.  Again, stay below the hole.  The 18^th is somewhat non-descript in so much that it finishes the round with a par 3.  The catch is you cannot miss the green left right or long as the ground falls away on the left and back and a grove of trees muscle in from the right.

North Kingstown Golf Course clearly has many of the Ross attributes that certainly Johnson came to know so well over the drafting board; raised greens, false fronting edges and subtle yet well placed bunkering.  The course is very fair for all levels of play and with a little polish could be a shiny gem.

Next stop, Point Judith Country Club…Ross at work again!.

Special thanks to: John Rainone, Golf Course Professional at North Kingstown Golf Course

http://www.nkgc.com/
Bradley Klein: Author, “Discovering Donald Ross”

Robert McNeil, ASGCA

Golf Architect
The Northeast Golf Company
www.northeastgolfcompany.com