Champion Hills Nears Debut

The 9th hole and clubhouse beyond - at Champion Hills Country Club

My latest new design, Champion Hills is nearing its debut.

Located in Victor, New York – just east of the city of Rochester - Champion Hills Country Club is the areas first “Cottage Style” layout.  The final hole was seeded approximately a month ago, and is coming in nicely. Work continues on the building out of the residential area as well as tuning up the golf course. A grand opening will occur early next spring. This is the first new course opening for me since the highly acclaimed Lazy Swan Golf and Country Club opened in Saugerties, New York in 2008. Champion Hills is significant for me not only because it is opening at a time when few new courses are built, but also due to its unique concept. It is also the second golf course I have completed with Scott  Hall, my shaper from Empire Links Golf Construction.

 The "Cottage Style Course" - is a term I coined while working out the design concept.  The ‘Cottage Style’ refers to a nine-hole course that is less than 3,000 yards and has a non-traditional total par. However, more importantly, the course is designed to "reflect a quality and craftsmanship in its detailing of features, equal or exceeding the top-level courses”. It is a style of course directly contrasting the absurd modern architecture of 7,500 yards or more, ‘McMonster’ courses. These long, process designed courses are excruciatingly boring and offer little interest to the large masses of common golfers. By contrast, a cottage style course is infused with strategies that require careful thinking and an honest evaluation of ones own shot making abilities. When possible, alternative routes to the hole are also provided. They are also designed to address the modern lifestyle of today’s golfers.

One of the unique beauties of the 'Cottage Style', is the desirability of the course for all age groups and skill levels. The length alone insures that the holes are playable – and ultimately “parable” - for most golfers. However, the holes do provide challenges that will assist in the development of a wide repertoire of shots if the course is to be mastered on a regular basis. One can also expect to find many of the hazards found on regulation courses. Both sand bunkers and water features are typically present and the courses require tactical decisions by players if they are to successfully negotiate the golf holes. However, the courses do eliminate forced carries of any significant length and offer multiple tee boxes for varying skill levels.

The ‘Cottage Style’ is also deliberately designed to be family friendly, where one can imagine a grandfather playing with his son and grandson. In addition, better golfers will find these courses as a quick and useful tune-up for their games when they are short on time. The typical length of time to play a cottage style course is 90 minutes or less. And players will find that despite the reduced length of the course, they are required to hit every club in their bag.

I will be introducing several of the holes at Champion Hills as well as discussing my clients goals and objectives and how those were specifically addressed throughout the design and construction of the golf course.