2016 Year In Review
2016 was an interesting year for MJB Golf Design. After completing a good 2015 with the reconstruction of Arlington Lakes Golf Club and beginning work with a new client, Kansas City Country Club, the momentum carried over into the spring. Master Plans and bunker projects were the theme of the year with work and budgets prepared for various clients. Here is a brief recap of the year.
Spring
Spring started with the completion of a Tree Management Plan for Kansas City CC and the start of a bunker project at St. Charles CC. St. Charles is starting a multi-phase update to the course that includes restoring the bunkers to the feel of the 1926 Tom Bendelow design. I also began working on plans for updates to Jester Park GC outside of Des Moines. I’ll touch more on that in a later section.
Summer
The summer was full of site visits to various new and old clients. I visited with Edelweiss Chalet Golf and Country Club in New Glarus, WI. New Glarus is also home of the New Glarus Brewing Company. One of the finest beers you will find and ONLY sold in Wisconsin. It made the trips there quite enjoyable. At Edelweiss the main project was the softening of the tenth green, which was completed in the fall.
I also traveled over the Garland Resort in north-central Michigan. Not an easy place to get to, but land there is worth the trip. I haven’t been to Garland since 2010 when I completed bunkers on one of their four golf courses. This trip was about getting acquainted with a new general manager and superintendent to discuss possible upcoming work. That work may include completing a new course for the resort. Fingers are crossed on that one.
Finally, we opened up Arlington Lakes Golf Club after it was shut down for a 13 month reconstruction. It opened to great reviews by both the press and the golfers. As always, the problem with opening up new greens is the wear from the amount of rounds you receive. Revenues were up 10% in September from pre-renovation numbers.
Fall
The fall picked up with construction season. A new project started with a restoration of bunkers at the Traditional Course at Countryside Golf Club in Mundelein, IL. This project included restoring the bunkers to a 1939 aerial photo we found, plus new bunker additions. We began on two of the holes in order to give a flavor of what to expect. Next year will jump into looking at the entire course.
I also completed my last visit of the year to Kansas City to recap the work completed and discuss upcoming phases. This includes more tree work along with discussions of bunker updates and regrassing the putting greens. This has been a great Club to work with as they make the commitment to move forward.
Winter
Work has stayed busy with various small projects and talking with possible new clients. It has been busy enough that I find it hard catch up on office work, such as writing this review. It’s good to stay busy with it being cold and snowy outside.
Grow the Game Initiatives
Following behind the addition of junior tees and a 3 and 6 hole loop at Arlington Lakes, I have been working on other courses with alternative projects. This has included developing plans for various courses including updating the current par 3 course at Jester Park. These types of projects go a long way in helping beginning golfers learn the game and also allow time strapped golfers a chance to get out to play a quick round. I’m thinking more of these projects will pop up on the horizon.
Looking ahead to 2017
It is getting harder each year to predict what may be coming up. It seems like projects you think will happen sometimes don’t, but then a different project comes up. I’ve learned not to get too up or down when looking ahead. It does seem like courses are very interested in getting work completed. They are also very cautious with taking on a single large project. I think that will be the norm, small projects with an occasional large one each year. It does keep the work interesting and exciting.
Finally, here’s hoping you all have good weather this winter and we get a good spring to open the new season. I’m wishing you all a great holiday season and a great 2017!