“Attributes that set Richard apart from others in his field are his attention to detail and his constant presence. His commitment to always be on hand and on-site is unwavering.”
– John McConnell, Owner, Raleigh C.C.
RMGA Renovates Greg Norman Design
Richard Mandell Golf Architecture was recently awarded the opportunity to renovate the sand bunkers at the Reserve Golf Club, a Greg Norman design in Pawley’s Island, South Carolina. This will be the second renovation project Richard has undertaken for McConnell Golf, LLC. Back in 2004 and 2005, his firm restored the Donald Ross-designed Raleigh Country Club and designed a brand new practice facility (including a two-acre short game area) there as well.
Richard’s design objectives at The Reserve will be to develop more of a dune-like appearance and create more visual depth to the sand bunkers as well as develop a consistent sand bunker specification regarding the bunker sand and landscaping surrounding the bunkers. In addition, Richard will introduce a variety of grass hollows around the greens complexes to provide more strategic interest.
The existing sand bunkers have no grass faces at all which creates depth perception issues for the golfers and makes each feature look flat. The bunkers have little visual interest derived from their shapes as well. Richard’s solution is to re-shape the bunkers as a direct response to the shape, size, and location of the existing mounds. As part of the process, he will bring the grass faces down slightly to give the bunkers much-needed visual framing.
While preserving the signature “absence of rough” at The Reserve, Richard will develop a connection between the native surrounds and the fairway bunkers by allowing an old-field succession to take over on the far sides of the bunkers. Grasses will be transplanted to help preserve the bunker shapes in the process. Fingers and noses will be incorporated into these hazards to create more visual interest. A by-product of this strategy is that maintenance of the bunkers will be drastically reduced as the square footage of the bunkers is reduced.
Similar to RMGA’s Orangeburg fast-track project last summer, the sand bunker renovation at the Reserve Golf Club will be completed in six weeks’ time – meaning Richard will be spending at least two days a week on site.
Richard’s design objectives at The Reserve will be to develop more of a dune-like appearance and create more visual depth to the sand bunkers as well as develop a consistent sand bunker specification regarding the bunker sand and landscaping surrounding the bunkers. In addition, Richard will introduce a variety of grass hollows around the greens complexes to provide more strategic interest.
The existing sand bunkers have no grass faces at all which creates depth perception issues for the golfers and makes each feature look flat. The bunkers have little visual interest derived from their shapes as well. Richard’s solution is to re-shape the bunkers as a direct response to the shape, size, and location of the existing mounds. As part of the process, he will bring the grass faces down slightly to give the bunkers much-needed visual framing.
While preserving the signature “absence of rough” at The Reserve, Richard will develop a connection between the native surrounds and the fairway bunkers by allowing an old-field succession to take over on the far sides of the bunkers. Grasses will be transplanted to help preserve the bunker shapes in the process. Fingers and noses will be incorporated into these hazards to create more visual interest. A by-product of this strategy is that maintenance of the bunkers will be drastically reduced as the square footage of the bunkers is reduced.
Similar to RMGA’s Orangeburg fast-track project last summer, the sand bunker renovation at the Reserve Golf Club will be completed in six weeks’ time – meaning Richard will be spending at least two days a week on site.
Richard Mandell Golf Architecture
©2007 All right reserved
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