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kconway

Keith Foster Restoration Project
« on: November 24, 2007, 09:03:37 AM »
The club  to which I belong (classic 1920's golf course) is considering having Keith Foster do a major restoration project, has anyone seen his work?
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Billsteele

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Keith Foster Restoration Project
« Reply #1 on: November 24, 2007, 09:42:39 AM »
His work at Eastward Ho! is terrific.
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Anthony_Nysse

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Re:Keith Foster Restoration Project
« Reply #2 on: November 24, 2007, 09:53:41 AM »
kconway,
  Mr. Foster is in charge of the renovation work to be done here next summer. From the many plans that I've seen along with the comments from those who he is dealing with, it's a very exciting time here at Colonial. The course is going to be REALLY, REALLY good after being "refreshed" by Foster and Co. Refer to his work at Southern Hills in preparations for this year PGA. I thought it was very good!

Tony Nysse
Asst. Supt.
Colonial CC
Ft. Worth, TX
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Anthony J. Nysse
Director of Golf Courses & Grounds
Apogee Club
Hobe Sound, FL

Phil_the_Author

Re:Keith Foster Restoration Project
« Reply #3 on: November 24, 2007, 10:43:13 AM »
This is very good timing for you then. There is a wonderful conversation with keith in Issue #3 of Tillinghast illustrated which will be online soon.

Maybe this resonse to a question talking about how most golfers would say "Keith Foster who?" if his name was mentioned as an architect:

People would say, “Keith Foster, Keith Foster who?” and in truth that’s still the way I look at myself. Who am I? I’m no one. I have the honor to work on clubs, wonderful clubs, that, if I do my work well, it is still “Keith Foster who?” And I like that. I like the fact that my charge is to come in and do the work as quietly as I can, as softly as I can, and it’s not about me. I’m very comfortable with that, I like that and the truth of the matter is, even though I worked at 5 Farms, it’s still “Keith Foster who” because it really should be about 5 Farms and Tilly and it shouldn’t be about me. That’s really how I approach every project. It’s about trying to honor the course, to try to honor the architecture that lay before me and to try to do the best work I can within that environment and not use such a heavy hand.
« Last Edit: November 24, 2007, 10:44:14 AM by Philip Young »
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kconway

Re:Keith Foster Restoration Project
« Reply #4 on: November 24, 2007, 10:48:18 AM »
Phillip,

My address is Kelly_Conway@eloyalty.com

Thanks,

Kelly Conway
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John Shimp

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Keith Foster Restoration Project
« Reply #5 on: November 24, 2007, 10:59:58 AM »
He redid Baltimore Country club East not too long ago.  Super job.  Great bunkers, openness, and look to the course.
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kconway

Re:Keith Foster Restoration Project
« Reply #6 on: November 24, 2007, 11:09:20 AM »
Did he need to expand the greens back to there original size/shape?
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Phil_the_Author

Re:Keith Foster Restoration Project
« Reply #7 on: November 24, 2007, 11:16:01 AM »
At 5 Farms keith did some green restoration both in size and shape. He also slightly softened a few greens because of the speeds at which they now normally play and the severity of some of the undulations.

He also helped recovered green surfaces on several other of his restoration projects.
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Chris Parker

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Keith Foster Restoration Project
« Reply #8 on: November 24, 2007, 11:43:48 AM »
Alas, I haven't seen his work, but here's a link to a good article on his work at Eastward Ho!
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"Undulation is the soul of golf." - H.N. Wethered

Mark Smolens

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Keith Foster Restoration Project
« Reply #9 on: November 24, 2007, 11:50:33 AM »
He designed a wonderful "smaller" public access course in the northern suburbs, Shepard's Crook.  Rolling linksy course which the super actually permits to play hard and fast.  Very inexpensive.  Most people I've played there kind of miss the point, but the course flows from hole to hole very nicely, and unlike other Chicago area "links" courses, this one actually tries to provide you with that kind of experience.
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Doug Ralston

Re:Keith Foster Restoration Project
« Reply #10 on: November 24, 2007, 06:34:17 PM »
How about 'The Harvester'? Hell of a course.

I love his work on 'The Tennessean', which has sadly not been kept in good condition, but still probably the best public in Tennessee. Wonderful layout.

Of course, those two are his origionals ....... can't speak to renovation. But seeing what I have, I would feel encouraged.

Doug
« Last Edit: November 24, 2007, 06:35:22 PM by Doug Ralston »
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SPDB

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Keith Foster Restoration Project
« Reply #11 on: November 24, 2007, 08:34:57 PM »
I have been impressed with Foster's work at E. Ho and BCC. He is doing substantial renovation work to the south course at Wilmington Country Club. I played there this past summer, and there was a lot of construction taking place, which looks to be a combination of restoration as well as some original touches (which will probably be an improvement over what was there IMO).

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Jeff Shelman

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Keith Foster Restoration Project
« Reply #12 on: November 25, 2007, 02:37:48 PM »
I have heard that his work at Omaha CC (which re-opened this summer) was well-received.

I have played several of his original designs (Harvester, Gateway Natl, Texas Star, Bandit, Quarry, Buffalo Run) and each has some good holes. I like that his courses don't have forced carry after forced carry and allow for some creativity around the greens.
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Brian Cenci

Re:Keith Foster Restoration Project
« Reply #13 on: November 25, 2007, 04:09:53 PM »
Quote from: kconway on November 24, 2007, 09:03:37 AM
The club  to which I belong (classic 1920's golf course) is considering having Keith Foster do a major restoration project, has anyone seen his work?

I played The Harvester two years ago and was very very impressed.  That's all I've seen of his work and from that I would say he does it right.

-Brian
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mark chalfant

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Keith Foster Restoration Project
« Reply #14 on: November 25, 2007, 07:08:18 PM »
Kelly,
His work at Eastward Ho and  CC of Detroit (Alison) is excellent. His master plans for Knollwood, IL and  Orchard Lake, Michigan, are also promising
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Patrick Kiser

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Keith Foster Restoration Project
« Reply #15 on: November 25, 2007, 08:32:45 PM »
I think Keith built Darkhorse out in Auburn, CA.

I think it's a great course, eventhough it's not in the best of shape these days.

Lots of pics of the course on the club's site for review of what he did there.
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“One natural hazard, however, which is more
or less of a nuisance, is water. Water hazards
absolutely prohibit the recovery shot, perhaps
the best shot in the game.” —William Flynn, golf
course architect

Greg Clark

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Keith Foster Restoration Project
« Reply #16 on: November 26, 2007, 01:47:06 AM »
He recently (maybe 2 years ago) redid Bent Tree Country Club here in Dallas.  I played it this summer and he significantly improved the course.  I thought the bunkering was very impressive.  After Dallas National and Vaquero opened in the area, nearly all the established Dallas clubs have went through renovations.  I played most of them this summer, and his work was the best in terms of course improvement.  Pretty sure he also worked on Southern Hills in preparation for the PGA Championship.

I've played Texas Star (Dallas area) and The Quarry (San Antonio) 2 of the top public courses in Texas, and both are strong.  I think you will be happy with the result.
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Rob_Waldron

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Keith Foster Restoration Project
« Reply #17 on: November 26, 2007, 12:52:27 PM »
It is my understanding that Keith is in the process of renovating the South Course at Wilmington CC. The course closed in October 2006 and is scheduled to open this spring/summer.
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Steve_ Shaffer

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Re:Keith Foster Restoration Project
« Reply #18 on: November 26, 2007, 01:17:05 PM »
He may a land big job in the Philadelphia area.

Here's his website(with pictures) listing his work:

www.keithfosterdesign.com
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"Some of us worship in churches, some in synagogues, some on golf courses ... "  Adlai Stevenson
Hyman Roth to Michael Corleone: "We're bigger than US Steel."
Ben Hogan “The most important shot in golf is the next one”

SPDB

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Keith Foster Restoration Project
« Reply #19 on: November 26, 2007, 02:22:47 PM »
Quote from: Steve_ Shaffer on November 26, 2007, 01:17:05 PM
He may a land big job in the Philadelphia area.

Here's his website(with pictures) listing his work:

www.keithfosterdesign.com

Steve - Where in Philadelphia
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Steve_ Shaffer

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Re:Keith Foster Restoration Project
« Reply #20 on: November 26, 2007, 02:48:03 PM »
SPBD

My lips are sealed on this news.

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"Some of us worship in churches, some in synagogues, some on golf courses ... "  Adlai Stevenson
Hyman Roth to Michael Corleone: "We're bigger than US Steel."
Ben Hogan “The most important shot in golf is the next one”

SPDB

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Keith Foster Restoration Project
« Reply #21 on: November 26, 2007, 02:58:19 PM »
Au contraire. Your lips are only partially sealed.
« Last Edit: November 26, 2007, 03:01:16 PM by SPDB »
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mike_malone

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Keith Foster Restoration Project
« Reply #22 on: November 26, 2007, 03:00:28 PM »
 So, Steve are they going to turn Commonwealth into a golf course ?
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AKA Mayday

Randy Van Sickle

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Keith Foster Restoration Project
« Reply #23 on: November 26, 2007, 03:05:47 PM »
I've had the pleasure of meeting with Keith several times over the last 3 years as he has completed our Herbert Fowler restoration.

While I have not had any interaction with other "professional" course architects, I can say that I found Keith to be extremely committed to doing everything he could to understand Fowler's artistry.  Combined with the talents of McDonald and Sons and those of our own local crew, the results of his work has been stupendous and has been embraced by our membership.

He is thoughtful, creative, and most importantly, he is not afraid to politely disagree with members' perspectives/input (and will back up his disagreement with sound reasoning).  I can say this as one of the people (green committee chair) who posited certain ideas that were rejected.

He is very passionate about his work, and really does his homework.  
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Can't get back to RDGC soon enough

Tim Leahy

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Keith Foster Restoration Project
« Reply #24 on: November 26, 2007, 04:48:04 PM »
Quote from: Patrick Kiser on November 25, 2007, 08:32:45 PM
I think Keith built Darkhorse out in Auburn, CA.
I think it's a great course, eventhough it's not in the best of shape these days.
Lots of pics of the course on the club's site for review of what he did there.

I will second Darkhorse, one of my favorites when it is kept up.
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I love golf, the fightin irish, and beautiful women depending on the season and availability.
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