In with the old in Arizona

[Steve_ Shaffer]

Forrest Richardson is quoted in the this article.I hope there is progress on Papago's restoration soon. Here is an excerpt:

In with the old
Restoration of classic courses takes off as new construction dwindles

John Davis
The Arizona Republic
Nov. 2, 2006 12:13 AM

After Tom Lehman and John Fought finished their redesign work at Phoenix Country Club, Lehman took a tour of the course and one of the first comments he heard was, "It looks old."

He considered it the best compliment he could have received.

With new course construction decreasing in each of the past five years, the focus of course designers and architects has shifted to classic, older layouts across the country, and that also holds true in the Valley.
   
The $5 million Phoenix CC project was completed in 2002, although it continues to add finishing touches, including resurfaced greens last year.

Arizona Country Club this month completed the course portion of a $20 million makeover (it also is building a new clubhouse), the Wigwam Resort completed a refurbishing project last year, and Arizona Biltmore also has undergone a renovation.

Phoenix CC, Arizona CC and Arizona Biltmore all were built in the 1920s, and the first nine holes of the 54-hole Wigwam development were created in 1930.

"There just aren't a lot of these classic, old courses in Arizona, and I think it's important to preserve that slice of golf history around the Valley," said architect Forrest Richardson, who oversaw the Biltmore and Wigwam projects.

"They are an alternative to the new, target-style courses. They really are a golf oasis in the desert."

Here is the link for the rest of the article:

www.azcentral.com/sports/golf/articles/1102golfmain1102.html

[Tony Petersen]

The work that Forrest has done (and continues to do) here in the Valley is an invaluable assett in this land of mini-malls and Hummers I've had the pleasure of playing both Wigwam Gold and the Biltmore Adobe on more than one occasion, and both are great examples of the quality of Forrest's work. I have also played ACC and PCC many times, and find them to be a refreshing change from the Desert golf of Desert Mountain and the like. Here are a couple of others that I have played or am looking forward to playing here in the near future. If anyone has any input, let me know!

Papago & Encanto... Both solid muni's, with improving maintenance, they continue to get better. Bottom line is that Papago is on a fantastic piece of land. The potential for its restoration is unlimited

Maryvale... I have yet to play this Bell Jr. design. From the ariels, it looks to be a traditional routing. Anyone played?

Moon Valley... All I can say is that the greens are a trip and the 4 finishing holes are some of tough.

Paradise Valley... Interesting routing, fun green sites, interesting bunkering.

Union Hills CC... Haven't played. Anyone?

Villa de Paz... Anyone?

Spending the winter here in AZ (though my heart rests firmly in MN) I am always looking for an interesting change. If anyone has any traditional gems that they know of here in AZ, please let me know

[Jim Sweeney]

The Wigwam's motto is "Old Arizona." Although its three courses (Gold and Blue by RTJ and Red by Lawrence) are all modern era courses, the resort has a true "Old Arizona" feel, perhaps more than anywhere else in the valley. A recentlly added spa and Jim Mclean Golf School help it "keep up with the Joneses' so to speak. But being 25 miles west of downtown and quite far from the Scottsdale/Mesa/Carefree hub of Phoenix's resort industry gives the Wigwam a more relaxed, slower feel that I like.

I played the Blue last week. I haven't played it in years. The Gold (the Wigwam's headliner) was closed for overseeding. The Red, a rather straight forward, pleasant course, was booked up with an outing.

The Blue is only 6,000 yards from the back tees, very flat, with raised green. There are several driveable par fours and all the fives but one are easily reachable. There are five par threes and three of then are really difficult, the fourth is short to an island green, and the fifth is rather pedestrian. The eighteenth hole is a long par four to the pre-renovation Gold course's 18th green. Its a better hole than the original, by far.

The Blue its loads of fun. It is not easy. The elevated greens and tight bunkering add interest to one's approaches, and there is enoough pitch and heave in the putting surfaces to keep a player on his toes.

I'll be back in December and have my tee time for the Gold. I'm looking forward to seeing Forrest's work there as well.

[Forrest Richardson]

Thank you for the kind comments.

Jim — I think you will find the Gold quite a test. (Please don't play it from wayyyy back!) Our objective there was to bring back RTJ's legacy. We took great care restoring his bunkers, using old aerials and probing the ground. While I am not 100% in love with his bunkering at that time (Jay Morish was the on-site guy for Mr. Jones), they deserved to be preserved/restored.

[Adam Clayman]

Forrest, Was bringing back Mr. Bell's legacy a focus at The Biltmore?

[Jim Sweeney]

Forrest:

I would play it all the way back (sorry to be immodest but I can handle it), but I'll be playing with some relatives who will have a lot more fun from the forward tees.

I believe the back tee on Blue #18 was the practice tee they built for Hale Irwin at the back of the old range?

Is Dale Douglass still affliated with the Wigwam? He used to live next door to my great-grandparents' house (which has been torn down and the lot sub-divided) on Blue #2.

[Forrest Richardson]

Jim — Yes, Blue #18 is the site of the old range established by Jack Snyder. RTJ kept the range here when he added 18 holes and used Snyder's 18 holes to do such. I have not heard the name Douglas...sorry.

Adam — We restored several Bell bunkers as best we could. Tommy N. did some research, and we had access to old photos. The focus was to make changes and uncover old stuff, all the while keeping in mind that Mr. Bell had created a decent course there when the resort was first opened. Unfortunately, land had been sold and used for estates. Also, the desert that ran through the course had been established with lush turf...something the residents were not willing to bring back, nor was it appropriate given the change to the neighborhood. So...I would say, yes, we brought back the charm of Bell. But, no, we had no way to re-establish features that are now in someone's pool or lost to a few re-routings after WWII.

[Steve_ Shaffer]

News about  Arizona CC:

Arizona Country Club completes enhancements

Nov. 7, 2006 12:00 AM

SCOTTSDALE - Arizona Country Club, one of the Southwest's premier private clubs, has completed the renovation of its historic golf course.

The enhancements, part of a $20 million makeover, include:


• Adding length to the par-5 No. 10 hole (which now stretches to 600 yards).

• Adding length to the par-4 No. 16.


• Creating new tees on the No. 1 hole.


• Upgrading the sand in the bunkers.


• Installing a state-of-the-art irrigation system.


• Refurbishing the practice area.

The enhancements were designed and overseen by prominent Arizona golf course architect and Arizona Country Club member Gary Panks. The practice area now includes a 13,200-square-foot putting green, a chip-and-run area, new practice bunkers and a new chipping green.

The overall yardage for the golf course is now 6,756, with a rating and slope of 72.2/130.

"Ours is one of the most celebrated golf courses in the state," said Tom Gibb, general manager of Arizona Country Club. "In undertaking this process, we were careful to make subtle changes that would add to the strategy, conditioning and playability of the course, while remaining true to its historic character.

"Gary did a wonderful job, and our members are tremendously pleased."

Arizona Country Club has hosted many of the state's most prestigious golf events, including the PGA Tour's Phoenix (now FBR) Open from 1955 to 1973.

In addition to the enhancements on the course, development also is under way on a new clubhouse, which is expected to open in the spring.

[Steve_ Shaffer]

I played William P. Bell's Encanto yesterday. It's a thoroughly enjoyable throwback Par 70 course(5 Par3s & 3 Par5s) opened in 1935 in downtown Phoenix. While some changes have been made to the original design- removal of a lake, grassing some bunkers- the basics remain- greens with character, proper shot placement as angles are important. There's a good mix of holes. Since it is a week away from overseeding, the course was in good condition. It's an  easily walkable flat as a pancake course except for the walk to 10 as the nines are divided by 15th Avenue.

It's not a difficult course as evidenced by these numbers:

Blue:    6404y 69.5/114
White:  6040y 68.5/113

If you're visiting in the winter, it's a good warm up course. Here are some pics:
http://phoenix.gov/recreation/rec/facilities/golf/golfcourses/encanto/gallery/index.html





For lunch, I recommend The Original Hamburger Works with their charcaol grill down the street at 2801 N. 15th Ave.

www.originalhamburgerworks.com