2016 Photo Journal

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2016 was another fantastic year for Integrative Golf Design.  The success of Winter Park would have been enough for us, but then we got an opportunity to work on our favorite restoration project at the Elmhurst Golf and Country Club in Manitoba, Canada. 

However, instead of focusing this "year-end" blog on our work and projects, I thought it would be more interesting to do a photo journal of all the courses we studied and played.   Part of this profession is going out to different golf courses and playing and experiencing them first hand.  It is a tough job, but somebody has to do it!

Experiencing different golf courses and speaking with the professionals behind them is a great way to learn and expand ones awareness of what great golf actually is, and how it is kept.  I enjoy playing courses and trying to figure out what makes them good, bad, fun, difficult, quirky, unique...and so forth.   It helps give me fresh perspective and provides inspiration that I can draw from for my own work.

That said, here are my favorite golf courses I played and studied during the 2016 year. 

Happy New Year to all our golfing friends!

- Riley

2016 Golf Photo Journal

Pinehurst #2

A masters class in classic restoration.

Prairie Dunes Country Club

This sporty Perry Maxwell gem has a wonderful set of golf holes and greens.

Sand Hills Golf Club

Had a great tour of the property with Kyle Hegland - minimalism at its best.

Seminole Golf Club

Donald Ross's tropical masterpiece, C&C restoration currently underway and future host of the 2021 Walker Cup - this will be one to watch.

Banff Springs Golf Club

I am very lucky to call Banff Springs my home track.  Played a dozen rounds this year and it never gets dull.  Stanley Thompson was the man and I continue to learn from his legacy.

Sagebrush Golf and Sporting Club

Rare to have a golf course like this empty and all to one's self. The perks of bankruptcey?

Dunes Club

Finally made it out to this Michigan 9-holer owned by Mike Keiser.  Fun golf on a great piece of property - perfect for match play.

The Loop

Having worked with Mr. Doak on the early stages of this reversible quagmire, it was great to return for the Renaissance Cup and play the final product.  Bring your short game!

Marine Drive Golf Club

Sporty, compact members course near Vancouver, B.C. that was recently renovated by Jim Urbina.

Barton Hills Country Club

Had a blast playing this Donald Ross/Ron Prichard track.  This is one of those courses you wouldn't get bored playing over and over.

Mid Pines Golf Course

One of the most surprising courses of 2016.  This Donald Ross course, restored by Kyle Franz, was a treat to experience, 

Sweetens Cove

Finally had a chance to visit fellow architect and friend Rob Collins and see his 9 holer in Tennessee.  Highly recommend to anyone interested in golf architecture.

Elmhurst Golf and Country Club

While doing some restoration work this fall we had the opportunity to play this Donald Ross layout multiple times.  This course is without-a-doubt one of Canada's best kept golf secrets.

Tobiano Golf Course

While working out at Sagebrush this summer I had a chance to go play Tobiano.  Nice views.

Rocky Crest Golf Course

Played this Muskoka track during a wedding party.  Some good holes, a little narrow, but maybe it was the Tequila? 

St Thomas Golf and Country Club

This was a surprisingly good golf course.  A series of interesting golf holes with a traditional feeling routing - very walkable

El Campeón Golf Course

Played this course while building Winter Park.  Great bones to the layout, would love to get an opportunity to work on this property.

Essex Golf and Country Club

Another Donald Ross gem in Canada.  This elegant course is a great study on how to route a golf course onto a compact property.  Great set of greens too.

Franklin Hills Country Club

This Donald Ross track has all the "Ross" elements one would expect and some amazing par 3's.  Great work being done with fescue areas here too.

Grey Wolf Golf Course

I hadn't played this  track in over 10 years.  A tricky routing on some severe terrain, I think this course is growing on me.

Kenora Golf Club

One of my favorite under the radar Stanley Thompson courses.  A must play whenever we are doing work at Elmhurst.

Detriot Golf Club - North Course

A Donald Ross course recently restored by Bruce Hepner.  Interesting routing on a flat site.

Tobacco Road Golf Club

This sporty Mike Stranz gem is full of quirk and adventure.  Great for match play, I recommend not trying to overpower this one.

Detriot Golf Club - South Course

The South course has some very interesting Ross features and one of the neatest punchbowl greens.  Bruce Hepner is currently working on the restoration.

Winter Park Golf Course

Having played the course multiple times before, it was sure fun to play the new course after the rennovation.  Community Links in the Park.

Streamsong Red/Blue

Played here a few times now, always enjoy escaping the Canadian winter for some sunshine and golf.

Point Grey Golf and Country Club

Located along the Fraser River in Vancouver, this course has huge potential.  Interesting property, mature trees, and sporty greens.

Stoatin Brae Golf Course

Checked out this course designed and built by the Renaissance Golf associates.  It was during grow-in stage and looks to be a soft minimalist track.

Glenboro Golf Club

This 9-holer in the middle of Manitoba was the biggest surprise in 2016.  It has been around since the 20's and is a masters class in routing and bunkerless design.

Southern Pines - Elks

If there is a course in the Pinehurst area that is more ripe for a classic restoration, I'd like to see it.  Fantastic property.

Livingstone Golf Course

Located between Calgary and Banff, this newly opened 9-holer is tons of fun.  It is low key, affordable, and interesting - golf needs more of these.

Calgary Golf and Country Club

This was the first restoration project I ever worked on and still Calgary's best golf course.  Always a treat returning to play.

Pinhurst #1

I bet this is the next on the list to go under the restoration knife after Gil Hanse completes #4.

Stewart Creek Golf Course

The year isn't complete unless I play at least one round at the course I used to work at and where I learned golf course maintenance.

Streamsong Black

Had the opportunity to tour the course with the Hanse crew last winter.  It's going to be a bold beast, looking forward to playing it in 2017.

Tarandowah Golfers Club

This faux links course reminds me of Delacour near Calgary.  This Martin Hawtree design is fast and fun, I would like to try it in the wind next time.

Orlando Country Club

Played this track before Ron Forse and crew get in there this summer to rennovate.  I am sure it's going to be some great upgrades.

Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club

This fun, interesting, sporty members course is set on a beautiful bluff overlooking the Fraser River.  One of the best courses in the area.

St. Charles Golf and Country Club

Located in the heart of Winnipeg, MB. this is a rare Alister Mackenzie 9 - Donald Ross 9 hybrid course.  Jim Urbina is currently looking to restore the Mackenzie 9 which has the best greens out of the two.