Golf Course Design & Landscape Architecture - Part 1

Landscape Architecture encompasses the analysis, planning, design, management, and stewardship of the natural and built environments. This includes the design of golf courses, which are classified as recreational landscapes. The term Landscape Architecture appears to have been first used by Gilbert Meason, a friend and co-traveler of Sir Walter Scott, in his book “On the Landscape Architecture of the Great Painters of Italy” (1828). The title Landscape Architect was first used in the United States by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux for their plan of Central Park in New York City in 1858. The design of Central Park included approximately 800 acres of land. In 1899, the first professional body was formed – The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA). In 1900, the first university course in Landscape Architecture was started at Harvard.



At nearly the same time the ASLA was being formed, the first golf courses in America were being built. Because golf was a new sport in the United States, most of courses were designed by professional or skilled golfers who knew the game from Scotland. Many of the methods for constructing the new golf courses were borrowed from the techniques of working Landscape Architects. Park planning and construction were often similar in both scale and scope of work. However, due to the “newness” of the sport in America, golf course design did not develop within traditional landscape architecture in the early period. During the golden age of golf course design (1919-1939) many of the Landscape Architects were working on urban parks, open space systems, National Parks, campus plans, cemeteries, and large estates. The development of cities and the desire of the growing middle class to live and find leisure time in organized spaces led to the advancement of the profession during the early decades of the 20th century. If not for the financial crash of 1929 and the ensuing Great Depression, it is likely that golf course design would have naturally merged into the folds of Landscape Architecture, and benefited from it. In fact, some golf course designers, such as Stanley Thompson - employed Landscape Architects in their office during the earlier period. However, during the great depression, golf course construction was nearly extinct and traditional landscape architecture was focused on public works programs, such as the Civil Conservation Corps (CCC). The CCC took advantage of Landscape Architects skill and employed them in designing new towns, public recreation facilities, and new highways were constructed as rural “parkways”.

In the next post, I will discuss the modern era of golf design and how the lack of Landscape Architectural training led to an era of generally poor and "uncreative" course design.

April is National Landscape Architecture Month

By definition, Golf Course Design is Landscape Architecture. It is a recreational design niche within the profession of Landscape Architecture. As such, I will be focusing on the profession of Golf Course Design within the field of Landscape Architecture over the next several weeks. I am kicking off the month by giving a lecture at the State University of New York in Syracuse on Monday April 4th. The class is an introductory course in the Department of Landscape Architecture and provides students insight into the broader field of Landscape Architecture. In the modern era of design, nearly all Landscape Architects specialize in something. So this is an opportunity to provide them with insight into golf course design, and the path to becoming a professional Golf Course Architect.

For this month, I will touch on the history of landscape architecture and parallel what was happening in golf course design. I will also spend a good deal of time on the legal qualifications for today’s golf course architects, including licensure and the various laws that regulate the profession. And finally, why I believe the future of golf design will be led by professionals within the field of Landscape Architecture and not by untrained and unqualified PGA Tour professionals. (Though some are trained, and have studied architecture - such as Ben Crenshaw - most are not. Ben also works hand in hand with a trained professional). This should make for an interesting month, particularly for the students who are following the blog, and for those curious about the path to becoming a “professional” Golf Course Architect.

Finally, in celebration of National Landscape Architecture month, the ASLA has posted Landscape Architecture Magazine online this month. You can find it through the link below.

http://www.zinio.com/reader.jsp?issue=416163142&o=ext&RF=LAM_April2011

College Course Being Offered: An Introduction to Golf Course Architecture

I will be teaching a class in the Department of Landscape Architecture at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) in Syracuse, New York this summer. The class is titled “An Introduction to Golf Course Architecture”. This is the first of a series of courses on Golf Course Architecture that I am preparing for the university. The course will review the history of golf course architecture, the features of the modern golf course, and the design process specific to golf course landscapes. Students will have an opportunity to analyze, contrast and play a historic golf course and a modern golf course. Students will also design their own golf course in a studio setting. The class will conclude with each student presenting their golf course design.

ESF is an accredited Landscape Architecture program and the course provides 3 credits for students. The class will run during the summer session that begins July 5th and runs through August 12th. For more information see: http://www.esf.edu/outreach/summer

Looking Back at 2010 & Ahead to 2011


 In spite of the doom and gloom hovering over much of the golf course development world, 2010 was a very good year for me. In May, I opened up Champion Hills Golf Course, a new private course located in Victor, New York (a suburb of Rochester, NY) The course has done very well in its inaugural year and the future looks bright. It is a unique type of golf course that I refer to as a “cottage course” and it fits a distinct niche market that adds to the fine palette of golf available in the greater Rochester area.





Champion Hills - 3rd hole

 


Champion Hills - 9th Hole

 
Through the summer months and into the late fall of 2010, I spent more than 45 days on site directing the construction of the final 9 holes at the Lazy Swan Golf and Country Club in Saugerties, NY. These are the final 9 holes for a new 18 hole course (I have been told it is the only new 18 hole course currently being built in the Northeast.) The first nine holes have already opened for play. Four of the second nine holes have been grassed and the earthmoving on the remaining 5 holes are complete. Final grassing will be completed by Memorial Day of this year and a Labor Day opening for the entire course has been set. In addition, more development within the golf course “village” is planned. Stay tuned for this and other announcements in regards to the project. We are all looking forward to a big opening party early in the fall.

Lazy Swan - 9th Hole



Lazy Swan - 10th Hole



Lazy Swan Construction - 3rd hole bunker complex

 


2011 will bring yet another new course construction in New York State. Plans are set for breaking ground on Barrow’s View Golf Course for June of this year. The course will feature several holes that overlook beautiful Skaneateles Lake and the lake valley. My focus for this project will be on the ecological design of the property. We are going above and beyond the governmental requirements of the project to ensure that we protect and enhance the lake watershed. Skaneateles Lake is one of the cleanest lakes in the United States. I will be discussing this project more as the construction gets under way.



In addition to the new courses, several renovation projects are in the works. So while the economy continues to negatively impact recreation such as golf, I feel fortunate to be involved with several great projects. If all goes as planned, I will have opened 3 new golf courses in 3 years during the current economic downturn in which many more courses are closing than are opening in this country. Here’s to hoping the trend continues through 2012 and beyond.



A Ryder Cup Connection

A few weeks back, a friend of mine called after watching Corey Pavin make his picks for the USA Ryder Cup team on ESPN. He said, "Hey, Isn't that the same Jim Remy you worked for in Vermont, sitting next to Pavin?" I told him that it was was. We did an extensive renovation at Tater Hill Country Club under the direction of Jim Remy, current President of the PGA of America. It involved rebuilding 10 green complexes and re-routing several holes. I think my friend was fishing for Ryder Cup tickets, but I am too busy finishing my new course "The Lazy Swan" in Saugerties, New York and planning another new course for next year to make any trips at this point. We'll be busy building untill the snow flies, and busy through the winter preparing for the next one. However, I do want to wish Jim and  team USA good luck in the matches. I always enjoy watching the teams play and there are a  number of good guys on both sides this go around.

After we finished our work at Tater Hill, I received a nice endorsement from Jim. It is always good to be recognized by someone with his credibility. I will post that below. I look forward to working with him again in the near future.

"We retained Barry Jordan's services to conduct a major renovation project at Tater Hill Country Club. Barry was personally committed to the project throughout the process and worked hard to come up with creative design solutions that fit perfectly with our goals and objectives. The project has been enthusiatically received by our members and quests. We look forward to continuing our relationship with Barry and would highly recommend him as a Golf Course Architect".

Jim Remy - President PGA of America

Lazy Swan Site Planning

One of the things that has been great about the Lazy Swan was developing the "village concept" for the facilities. It allowed me to create an intimate relationship between building architecture and the golf course. Separate buildings include the clubhouse / restaurant, pro shop, banquet hall, pilates studio, locker rooms, cart barn and snack shop. There are still a few more structures to go in, such as office space and retail shops. The owner is now looking into the development of a hotel on site. The golf business has been booming and the facilities, freshly opened, are booking events at a rapid pace. This is a different model from golf and housing, but one that is quite successful here, particularly considering the economy we are in right now. Golf is up at the course 150% over last season, and it appears the banquet hall will be equally successful in the 2011 season.  

News From the Lazy Swan

Things are progressing nicely on the new nine holes at the Lazy Swan in Saugerties, NY. All indications are that we will be open for 18 holes of golf at this time next year (if not before). The existing nine hole course is doing a tremendous amount of business and bucking the downward trend of golf in general. Below is a recent article on the entire facility and future plans.


http://www.dailyfreeman.com/articles/2010/08/23/news/doc4c71d544cab31851808649.txt