14 North Shore Towers Courier n December 2016 Renovation plans for Holes #4 and #5. The thick black lines indicate new boundaries along the fairways and greens, where alterations have been made, as well as showing new bunker placement and shaping. Thinner black lines show original edging. Notice the expansion of the approach and green at Hole #4. Also note the marriage of the holes—indicated at Letter G—a signature design element of designer Weiman, which opens up and beautifies the course. tough Par 3,” the Golf Pro explained. “Extending it 30 more yards would not be money well spent.” And yet, according to O’Neill, with a little more than half the holes renovated, the course has been increased by about 55 yards so far. Surgical removal and thoughtful planting of trees and shrubbery will not only enhance the beauty and play-ability of the course, but benefit the remaining foliage. “Thinning them out will allow the healthier ones to prosper,” Guido explained. Additional trees and plants along the border will help segregate and buffer the course from the perimeter businesses and busy roadways. The original plan called for the renovation of two holes every year. Work began with Hole #1 in fall 2012, followed by #9 the following spring. It was then decided to continue the course improvements every other year, tackling four holes rather than two. By rejiggering the schedule thusly, players would get a year respite, between play disruption, and the Country Club would save money. Since the equipment for the renovation was coming from McDonald Design Group headquarters in Maryland, the cost to transport the heavy machinery for the job was cut in half. The project continued with Holes #2, #8, #7, #6 in fall 2014. As the sun set on the final week of October, the final touches on Holes #5 and #6 were being made, with work on #3 and #11 already in full swing. O’Neill and his crew plan on finishing the scheduled renovation on these latter two holes, as well as the usual seasonal preparation, before the first winter frost. Barring any unforeseen surprises, the course will open its spring 2017 season with more than half of its renovations completed. The next four holes will be tackled in fall 2018, with the remaining quartet being renovated in fall 2020. With the tremendous growth of the Towers and continuous increase in Country Club membership over the past few years, the time was ripe for a renovation of the 40-year-old golf course. According to both Guido and O’Neill, member response to the renovations thus far has been uniformly positive. “The changes will not affect the weaker player, but will challenge the seasoned player,” Guido said. “Our intention from the start was to satisfy everyone’s needs.” Grounds crew mow new rough around reshaped bunker along Hole #5. Proper irrigation, where there wasn’t any, lines renovated bunkers.
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