“Mandell’s reverence
for the game’s classic courses is evident in his work at sites like the upscale Creekside Golf & Country Club
in suburban Atlanta.”
– Links Magazine
Orangeburg Country Club Opens
The dog days of last summer (2009) saw Richard trek down I-95 twice a week to Orangeburg Country Club in Orangeburg, South Carolina to restore an Ellis Maples classic. After a very short construction and grow-in window of four months, it re-opened for play on Halloween Day. The golf course was rebuilt from tee to green, capturing original feature shapes from a 1963 aerial photograph.
Richard wasn’t afforded the time to produce detailed construction documents for the renovation due to the short time frame. He still managed to maintain cost control by establishing realistic quantities as the first step in re-design and then maintaining those quantities throughout construction. The most dramatic improvement to the project was increasing the total greens square footage from a shrunken 81,775 to a restored 122,881.
Because of Mandell’s desire to replace the original push-up greens with new push-up greens, the relative minimal cost increase enabled this aspect of construction to move forward. This effort was a great example of utilizing older construction techniques to minimize costs and prove that these techniques are still viable alternatives to the overly expensive construction techniques which have contributed to the high cost of golf construction and development over the past few decades.
“The greens were the most fun part of this project for me” said Richard. “The ability to restore such large putting surfaces allowed me to create some very interesting contours, especially in the transitions from one area of a green to another.” Since original plans were not available, Richard expanded on the existing greens contours, making adjustments to fit the enlarged surfaces. The enlarged greens extents were based upon the aerial photograph and the study of the existing site conditions. This was especially beneficial because of the members’ affinity for the current contours. Richard simply expanded the highs, enhanced the lows and blended them together to tie each complex together.
Richard wasn’t afforded the time to produce detailed construction documents for the renovation due to the short time frame. He still managed to maintain cost control by establishing realistic quantities as the first step in re-design and then maintaining those quantities throughout construction. The most dramatic improvement to the project was increasing the total greens square footage from a shrunken 81,775 to a restored 122,881.
Because of Mandell’s desire to replace the original push-up greens with new push-up greens, the relative minimal cost increase enabled this aspect of construction to move forward. This effort was a great example of utilizing older construction techniques to minimize costs and prove that these techniques are still viable alternatives to the overly expensive construction techniques which have contributed to the high cost of golf construction and development over the past few decades.
“The greens were the most fun part of this project for me” said Richard. “The ability to restore such large putting surfaces allowed me to create some very interesting contours, especially in the transitions from one area of a green to another.” Since original plans were not available, Richard expanded on the existing greens contours, making adjustments to fit the enlarged surfaces. The enlarged greens extents were based upon the aerial photograph and the study of the existing site conditions. This was especially beneficial because of the members’ affinity for the current contours. Richard simply expanded the highs, enhanced the lows and blended them together to tie each complex together.
Hole #8 Before Hole #8 After
In addition to the greens, the high, flashed - sand bunkers were restored following a similar methodology. This bunker style was the dominant feature of the golf course, yet slowly developed into flat, yawning bunkers that were artificially built up over the years. The bunker shapes eroded to the point of simple ovals and circles. The flashed sand lines receded into the horizon leaving no depth to the features. The renovation incorporated more modern bunker drainage techniques, which allowed for a softening of the artificially built-up fill pads the bunkers sat on originally. The scope also included re-construction of the driving range, a new practice putting green, and construction of a new two-acre short game area.
For the few months since the re-opening of OCC, demand for play has increased by 20%, which resulted in turning a profit when traditionally this time frame results in a financial loss for the club. Additionally in this time period, while most regional courses were down due to weather, OCC stayed open, further increasing revenue. Membership has already increased by 5% in the months the course has been open and inquiries for new memberships are at a much higher demand as well. Regional response has been so positive that desire for a sectional major golf event is actively being discussed by the state golf association.
Hole #16 Before
Hole #16 After
Richard Mandell Golf Architecture
©2007 All right reserved
©2007 All right reserved
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