GolfClubAtlas.com > Golf Course Architecture Discussion Group
Del Paso CC-Fowler? Soon to be redone?
clifhenry:
I have been close to this project from the first day, so I feel particularly qualified to address some of the issues raised here.
In the first place, the decision to hire Kyle was made after careful consideration of the resumes of several very talented and accomplished architects, and was taken in part because the committee was convinced that he was the guy who most clearly understood that the club was committed to the idea that we wanted to preserve the true spirit of Fowler's design.
Once we identified Kyle's firm as the one we wanted, they (Kyle and his assistant, Mark Thawley) spent hours combing through our archives to gain as thorough and complete an understanding as they could of our history and traditions. They also spent a considerable amount of time and effort researching the work of Herbert Fowler, and were soon able to bring a great deal of new information about him and his work back to a group of people who already thought they were pretty Fowler-knowledgeable. We now know that we had only scratched the surface.
So that I don't put everyone reading this to sleep, I'll try to wrap this up by saying that our needs (in addition to preserving the character of our course) were many. We are dealing with 1) a piece of property that has been cobbled together over a long period of time, meaning that a significant percentage of it is lying unused, 2) a wholly inadequate practice facility that must be enlarged and improved, 3) inadequate parking for our members and their guests that must be expanded and improved, 4) a 90-year-old mat of common bermuda on clay and hardpan that is unacceptable as a playing surface in this day and age, 5) urban encroachment, 6) future water issues, and more, all of which is positively and pro-actively addressed in Phillips' plan for our course.
I believe that we chose the right architect, and that his design is well-conceived and in the best interest of our club's future.
Joel_Stewart:
Cliff:
Your course like many classic courses has some serious areas of concerns. I don't fault the club for wanting to modernize areas such as parking and the practice areas. Wouldn't it be great if all clubs could have a practice areas like Shadow Creeks.
I belong to the Olympic Club in San Francisco and everytime I walk through the locker room I look at the proposed routing from Seth Raynor. I see a number of other members looking at it and wondering how great it would have been to play the holes he laid out. The problem I see at Del Paso is that in 10 years from now, how many members will regret tearing up the Fowler course to have another modern non descript course. If the members want to join a modern course with all the bells and whistles, shouldn't they go join El Dorado or Winchester?
As much as I like Kyle Phillips I think the club has to be very careful in giving him carte blanche. He has done some very good work (as well as lousy work - Squaw Creek as an example) but his work and knowledge at restorations might be questionable. Look at Fazio and Nicklaus in this area as examples.
Good luck with your effort. I'll end with your club could be well known as the best private club in Sacramento with a restored Fowler course than anything else.
clifhenry:
Joel,
Thanks for your interest and good wishes.
Obviously there are certain things that must be done as a club ages and evolves: kitchens have to be updated and equipment replaced as it wears out, furniture has to be refurbished or replaced, and so on. Infrastructure has to function in a manner that is relevant to the world as it exists.
That being said, though, I assure you that we're not about to tear up a classic golf course that we all love so that we can build another tricked-up example of what already exists on just about every street corner. We believe Kyle's design is true to the spirit of Fowler's work, and that if built it will be a source of pride to our members for the next three quarters of a century, as this has been.
Tommy_Naccarato:
Cliff,
Your reasons are in tune with a club of your caliber that has little knowledge or clue of classic design. Good luck with your choice--a beautiful new Robert Trent Jones II-like design. It should suit you and your unknowing members well. It also allows guys like us, more reasons to look on the works of other great designers and realize it was the petty bueracracies such as these, that are the reason for their demise.
But fear not. Your not the only one out there like this because 99.9% of the less then notable club's in America are the same.
Tommy_Naccarato:
Cliff,
Also, In an email conversation with one of your other members, it was cited that there is opposition to the Kyle Phillips plan. I responded to this person with honesty and experience of the situation. It was reiterated to me that the situation was almost as if I was a member of Del Paso's green committee.
You can put all of the spin on it you want, but ultimately pleasing the masses, is a hard thing to do. Iwill also apologize for my harsh reaction, but it is tiresome and of little help, especially if you already have so much knowledge of Herbert Fowler. It would be appreciated if you could share with us your findings.
Mark Thawley is an aquaintence and he's a bright and likable individual. Yet, it surprises me that he didn't seek the help of others who he knows that have more knowledge of the subject.
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