News:

Welcome to the Golf Club Atlas Discussion Group!

Each user is approved by the Golf Club Atlas editorial staff. For any new inquiries, please contact us.


Neil_Crafter

  • Karma: +0/-0
New Par 3 Course at Barwon Heads GC, Victoria, Australia
« on: February 14, 2009, 04:55:04 PM »
My Victorian partner Paul Mogford and I have designed a new par 3 course at Barwon Heads to replace the old par 3 course that was built in the 1960's. Most of the credit for the course goes to Paul, although I chipped in with a few ideas on a couple of visits during planning and construction.

Here's a little info on the course, followed by a routing plan and some nice photos recently taken by photographer Kim Baker.

An approach by the developer of a neighbouring residential project to site a flood detention basin on Club land has enabled the Club to undertake a redesign of their existing 9-hole Par 3 layout. The developer approached BHGC with the idea of constructing a flood detention basin on club land as part of their drainage management scheme for flood mitigation.

The Club’s golf course architects Crafter + Mogford Golf Strategies were retained to advise on the incorporation of an engineered solution that would provide a storage capacity of around 7 to 8 megalitres in the retention basin. An area utilised by part of the club’s previous 9-hole Par 3 layout was deemed the most suitable area for the retention basin to be located.

The advantage to the Club would be two fold. Firstly, the basin would at times provide an additional water source with water being able to be pumped up to the main water storage facility and reused for irrigation purposes. Secondly the Club would have a completely redesigned and upgraded Par 3 course.

Paul Mogford said “the main design challenge was to create features around the Par 3 layout to disguise what would essentially be the construction of a dam wall. Three holes fall within the location of the proposed basin, with two of those holes (2 and 3) actually being built across the top of the basin wall, the balance of the holes re-routed as a consequence”.

“We have worked very hard to minimise the disruption to the natural contours of the remainder of the flood basin,” said Mogford. “In simple terms the development will see the end of a ‘valley’ being ‘plugged’ with a dam wall, which in design terms, will be made to look like a natural dune feature, with the balance of the basin constituting the natural contour. The positioning of the basin was the main factor behind the re-routing of three of the holes (2, 3 and 7), and in the creation of these holes we can utilise detailed shaping to further erode the feeling of the wall being present – the success of which I guess is for others to judge, however we are very pleased with the result. Aside from the bulk earthworks around the basin construction however, only minimal shaping will be required from the golf course design point of view. The development has taken a minimalist approach to preserve the natural links appearance around the existing layout. We also placed a permanent wetland central to the basin, which once established will provide an attractive natural setting for the surrounding holes”.

Mogford stated that in keeping with the ‘links’ style effect in play throughout Barwon Heads’ 18-hole championship course layout, similar features would be incorporated into the Par 3 layout.
“One of the main defining features of the championship course is what is often called ‘broken ground’ – areas of,  hollows, hillocks and native grasses – that typically occur around and between the fairways and greens,” said Mogford. “The greens are for the most part are ‘generously’ undulating - a deliberate measure to create interesting and challenging chip and runs as well as putts. The greens are generally smallish, averaging 240m2, however we have applied our green shaping philosophies to the broader area beyond the actual putting surfaces to include most of the fairway area. In this way we have the luxury to enlarge the size of the putting surfaces in the future.  There are no bunkers on the course, however the contour hazards make up for this providing reward for deft touch”.

The turfgrass selections are not standard, with couchgrass used for both greens and fairways - Wintergreen Couch for greens and Conquest Couch on the fairways. The roughs, whilst yet to be sown, will have a fescue blend seeded into the common couch which has already stabilised much of the rough area. Further indigenous planting of trees, shrubs, grasses and sedges will occur in late Autumn and Spring of 2008.

Aside from maintaining the ‘links’ style of the championship course, part of the Club’s brief to Crafter + Mogford has been to maintain the old course’s existing level of playability. The old Par 3 layout measured 784 metres, with individual holes ranging from 55 to 112 metres in length. The new course measures 807 metres with holes ranging from 71 to 113 metres, essentially maintaining the original length of the course.  However, extra challenge will certainly come from the bold contouring distinguishing it from the previous layout.

Mogford concluded “From a construction point of view it was a very rewarding process. Once the bulk earthworks contractor finished their works the detailed construction began in earnest.  It was very much a collaborative effort with the team including; Course and Golf Operations Manager Peter Frewin, Superintendent Mick Russell, local shaper Stephen Speechley, myself fine shaping the greens and surrounds and a number of the course maintenance staff all contributing to a great result” said Mogford.



1st green from the right side


1st hole from short left of fairway


Looking across 1st green from left side


Looking across wetland to 2nd green, hole plays in from left. 16th green on main course can be glimpsed at top right


4th green from front right


View from behind 5th green with 4th hole in background


View from side of 6th green looking across to 4th hole


Our little 'Dell' hole homage, the 8th, as seen from behind the green. Not totally blind like the original 'Dell', more of a 'Modified Reverse Dell'!





Andrew Summerell

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: New Par 3 Course at Barwon Heads GC, Victoria, Australia
« Reply #1 on: February 14, 2009, 05:43:23 PM »
Mogford stated that in keeping with the ‘links’ style effect in play throughout Barwon Heads’ 18-hole championship course layout, similar features would be incorporated into the Par 3 layout.
Thanks for that Neil. Incoorporating a similar style to the main course is a great concept that I’ve been fortunate to see at few of the great courses around the world, & it works a treat.

The photos you have posted show green complexes that look like they could come from the main course. Well done.


BTW, I believe ‘Modified Reverse Dell’ will become a commonplace term in GCA over the years, often being used by golf commentators trying to sound intelligent. ::)

Neil_Crafter

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: New Par 3 Course at Barwon Heads GC, Victoria, Australia
« Reply #2 on: February 14, 2009, 06:17:51 PM »
Thanks Andrew
The greens, although small, a quite dramatically contoured as they are turfed in couchgrass (bermuda) and so putt a bit slower on the flat. It's a fun little course and enjoyable to play. I'm glad you picked up my Dell reference - if you can have a modified reverse Redan, why not a modified reverse Dell? The two large mounds you see around that green were already there and we just kind of slotted the green in between them. It's my favourite.

Lyne Morrison

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: New Par 3 Course at Barwon Heads GC, Victoria, Australia
« Reply #3 on: February 14, 2009, 08:12:19 PM »


Looks like some nice work there Neil - well done to Paul, yourself and the team.

How refreshing to see a par 3 course developed with a good relationship to a traditional layout - no fences, no artificial turf mats. There is a very nice sense of space and movement in some of those images - I'm sure this course will be popular with all golfers. Ideal for junior development and many other time restricted golfers.

Cheers - Lyne


Neil_Crafter

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: New Par 3 Course at Barwon Heads GC, Victoria, Australia
« Reply #4 on: February 14, 2009, 08:46:59 PM »
Appreciate the comments Lyne.
It has certainly proven popular with the membership and is open to the general populace for a small green fee. Lots of kids playing it which is great. Fortunately we had enough space not to need fencing and we could also afford turfed tees rather than mats.
Neil

Scott Witter

Re: New Par 3 Course at Barwon Heads GC, Victoria, Australia
« Reply #5 on: February 14, 2009, 09:19:33 PM »
Neil:

I agree with Lyne, this appears to be a very fun course, quite well done and a refreshing options for the club.  I really like the use of broad sweeping short grass around the putting surfaces.  The hollows and troughs look especially engaging  for some interesting shot options.  I for one would have liked to see more hillocks incorporated into the same short grass areas to further 'break up' the ground and provide even more character, off balanced lies and influences on shot selection and ball roll.  Not being critical mind you, just my two cents thrown for good measure. ;)

I would agree with Paul that the putting surfaces do appear to have plenty of rolling character and if they are small, the 5th and 8th do look small, then all the more fun putting.  I'll bet this was a fun proiect and rewarding to build--good going to you both ;) ;)

Cheers, Scott

Ronald Montesano

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: New Par 3 Course at Barwon Heads GC, Victoria, Australia
« Reply #6 on: February 14, 2009, 09:34:05 PM »
Will Fry want to do something like this at Arrowhead, Scott?
Coming in 2024
~Elmira Country Club
~Soaring Eagles
~Bonavista
~Indian Hills
~Maybe some more!!

ed_getka

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: New Par 3 Course at Barwon Heads GC, Victoria, Australia
« Reply #7 on: February 14, 2009, 09:39:06 PM »
Neil,
   Thanks for taking the time to post about the project. It looks like a fun place place to work on one's game. What is going on with the 5th hole? The green and its mowing pattern seems a bit odd in the photo so I am curious what the intent of the hole is? Does the Dell green fall away from the approach a little?
Congratulations on the project.
"Perimeter-weighted fairways", The best euphemism for containment mounding I've ever heard.

Neil_Crafter

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: New Par 3 Course at Barwon Heads GC, Victoria, Australia
« Reply #8 on: February 14, 2009, 10:40:36 PM »
Ed
Thanks for the comment. The tee is almost directly above the green and the tee shot is played over reeds etc at the edge of a large swamp. The green is only just visible from the tee. The greens are generally quite small, only 250 to 300m2 so the mowing line might look a little odd in this photo but seems fine on the ground. The Dell green does fall away a little, but not much.

Scott
Thanks also. The trough/hollows you describe feature prominently on greens 1, 4 and 7, but no others, so I don't think we have overdone it. There are some lumps and bumps around but we were mindful of not building mounds per se, although there are a couple in places to screen tracks etc.

Neil
 

Scott Witter

Re: New Par 3 Course at Barwon Heads GC, Victoria, Australia
« Reply #9 on: February 14, 2009, 10:41:30 PM »
Ron:

I have no idea...but even if he did, I don't think I can work with him again, I just don't have it in me to take that type of abuse.  I do think that this sort of course would work very well, even in this western NY market.  I believe this is the type of affordable golf we need, but it must have the right location and a good site, not another damn farm field :(

Neil_Crafter

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: New Par 3 Course at Barwon Heads GC, Victoria, Australia
« Reply #10 on: February 15, 2009, 12:11:52 AM »
Ron:

I have no idea...but even if he did, I don't think I can work with him again, I just don't have it in me to take that type of abuse.  I do think that this sort of course would work very well, even in this western NY market.  I believe this is the type of affordable golf we need, but it must have the right location and a good site, not another damn farm field :(

Scott - can you elaborate as I'm not up with what you are referring to? Thanks

Sean Walsh

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: New Par 3 Course at Barwon Heads GC, Victoria, Australia
« Reply #11 on: February 15, 2009, 12:25:32 AM »
Sounds like another good reason to re-visit Barwon Heads (as if one was needed)


Neil,

Was the use of cooch on the greens a budgetary decision?
Also, what are the longest and shortest hole on the course? (looking at the diagram it would seem short tee on 9 is shortest, 2nd possibly longest)
« Last Edit: February 15, 2009, 12:30:57 AM by Sean Walsh »

Neil_Crafter

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: New Par 3 Course at Barwon Heads GC, Victoria, Australia
« Reply #12 on: February 15, 2009, 01:22:21 AM »
Sean
Always good reasons to revisit Barwon Heads, especially with an overnight stay in the clubhouse's accommodation.

Not really, couch was used on the old par 3 course's greens and was decided upon more for ease of maintenance, less water use and the slower putting speed allowed us to 'upsize' the internal contouring in the greens. Greens, tees and fairways were all solid turfed so a lot of the budget went on grassing.

Shortest hole is the 3rd, around 75m. The longest is the 2nd at around 120m.

Scott Witter

Re: New Par 3 Course at Barwon Heads GC, Victoria, Australia
« Reply #13 on: February 15, 2009, 09:02:21 AM »
Neil:

Sorry about that--a bit of a tangent, but my comment was ONLY related to Ron and the site (as well as my client at the time) I had to work with to create Arrowhead golf course a few years ago--Ron knew what I meant.  The farm field comment had nothing to do with your project whatsoever.

Cheers

Scott Warren

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: New Par 3 Course at Barwon Heads GC, Victoria, Australia
« Reply #14 on: February 15, 2009, 12:20:27 PM »
Neil, was there a conscious decision or environmental reason why the water between 3, 4 and 6 wasn't used more in the design?

Neil_Crafter

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: New Par 3 Course at Barwon Heads GC, Victoria, Australia
« Reply #15 on: February 15, 2009, 03:19:01 PM »
Scott
The graphic is a bit misleading between holes 3, 4 and 5 with its colour, as this represents trees (in this case rare Moonah trees which are protected) rather than water. The only water is between holes 2 and 7 and this is ephemeral captured stormwater from the residential development next door. Hope this helps.

Kevin Pallier

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: New Par 3 Course at Barwon Heads GC, Victoria, Australia
« Reply #16 on: February 15, 2009, 05:48:38 PM »
Neil

Is the P3 course on similar playing rights with the 18 holer ?

Do you know the cost to play it ?

Forrest Richardson

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: New Par 3 Course at Barwon Heads GC, Victoria, Australia
« Reply #17 on: February 15, 2009, 06:42:41 PM »
Very neat looking. Where is my ticket to the opening?
— Forrest Richardson, Golf Course Architect/ASGCA
    www.golfgroupltd.com
    www.golframes.com

Neil_Crafter

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: New Par 3 Course at Barwon Heads GC, Victoria, Australia
« Reply #18 on: February 15, 2009, 06:52:36 PM »
Forrest
Thankyou. Your ticket (I'm sorry to say) must have got lost in the mail!
The course actually opened for play around Christmas 2007 so has been open for a little over a year now. The club has commissioned a professional photographer to take some photos for some articles on the course and as these photos have just been done I wanted to share them here.

Kevin
If you are a member naturally you can play the par 3 whenever you like. I'm not sure what rights extend to green fee holders on the main course though. I think the green fee is around A$11 or so.

Sean_A

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: New Par 3 Course at Barwon Heads GC, Victoria, Australia
« Reply #19 on: February 16, 2009, 06:51:10 AM »
Neil

I think the course looks lovely.  Do you have more pix?  Where is this club in relation to Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula?

Ciao 
New plays planned for 2024: Nothing

Lester George

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: New Par 3 Course at Barwon Heads GC, Victoria, Australia
« Reply #20 on: February 16, 2009, 08:42:27 AM »
Neil,

Nice looking stuff.  Made even more pleasing because you had to work for a solution to a unique problem.  I'm sure the owners are pleased at the obvious creativity you employed.

Lester

Anthony Butler

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: New Par 3 Course at Barwon Heads GC, Victoria, Australia
« Reply #21 on: February 16, 2009, 09:07:24 AM »
Neil

I think the course looks lovely.  Do you have more pix?  Where is this club in relation to Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula?

Ciao 



The Mornington and the Bellarine Peninsula almost meet at the bottom of Port Phillip Bay as seen here. It's about 150 mile drive and 15 minute ferry ride I believe.

BTW-Love the greens on the Par 3 course, Neil. there is a couple of these style of green complexes on the Moonah course at the National. i.e. That simply look like they smoothed down the slopes and regrassed them to form a putting green.

They looked so good, I wonder why they didn't do more. The Bellarine Peninsula generally features land with less topographical change than the Mornington, so the surrounding contours are less dramatic at Barwon, but it is effective nonetheless.

Is this how you found most of these green sites?
Next!

Neil_Crafter

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: New Par 3 Course at Barwon Heads GC, Victoria, Australia
« Reply #22 on: February 17, 2009, 02:20:04 AM »
Thanks Lester and Sean
It was a good project for the club and the developer - a co-operative solution was achieved that had good environmental benefits of harvesting the residential estate's stormwater, which ultimately ends up in the club's main irrigation pond, rather than running out into the ocean.

Sean, Anthony has posted the Google map so you can see where it is in relation to the Mornington peninsula. I'll see if Paul has some more pix.

Anthony
Glad you enjoyed the course and like the greens. Greens 2, 3 and 7 are on the banks of the water storage facility and hence not natural but manufactured. The 8th is inserted between 2 large mounds/hills that have been on the land for some time, and we decided to 'find' ourselves a Dell greensite in between them. All the other greensites though are natural and very minimally shaped to create the smaller scale contours, the 9th probably received the most work as the natural hillside where this green is sited was fairly steep so we had to a reasonable amount of softening.
cheers Neil

Matthew Mollica

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: New Par 3 Course at Barwon Heads GC, Victoria, Australia
« Reply #23 on: February 17, 2009, 05:33:43 AM »
Great work Neil. Over the last few years, I was one of many who would eagerly look left after approaching the 16th green, to see how the work on the Par 3 course was coming along. You've done a great job, and delivered the Club a real asset. A pleasure to play, and a lesson for other clubs too.

MM
"The truth about golf courses has a slightly different expression for every golfer. Which of them, one might ask, is without the most definitive convictions concerning the merits or deficiencies of the links he plays over? Freedom of criticism is one of the last privileges he is likely to forgo."

Neil_Crafter

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: New Par 3 Course at Barwon Heads GC, Victoria, Australia
« Reply #24 on: February 17, 2009, 06:08:26 AM »
Matthew
Appreciate the positive feedback!
Unfortunately not many clubs have the amount of land that BH have. We could have built another 9 par 3 holes if they had let us........but I think they want to keep some in reserve.
We will be doing a very nice short game complex for the club soon.

Tags:
Tags:

An Error Has Occurred!

Call to undefined function theme_linktree()
Back