The Bridgewater Club, Indianapolis

[T.J. Sturges]

Question for Tim Liddy:

Tim,

I just got a complete tour of The Bridgewater Club (within the last 2 weeks).  I went in with no expectations, and left raving about the place.  The work there is more low profile than Pete's "updates" at Crooked Stick, and to me, bears more resemblance to what Pete did in the 60's and 70's (my favorite Pete Dye era).  My question is:  How much did Pete do at Bridewater and how much did you do?

TS

[Chris_Clouser]

Ted,

I was curious what the Bridgewater Club looked like.  I haven't ventured over there yet to look around.  I've been kind of keeping my eye on the Nicklaus Sagamore course over in Noblesville.  If you've seen both how would you compare them.  Also, what about Bridgewater is so good?  Also, how would you compare it to say a Harbour Tree, since that is from the era you mention?

Chris

[T.J. Sturges]

Chris,

The Bridgewater Club is on a splendid piece of property.  The terrain in gently rolling, not severe, with areas of mature trees and areas that are more open.  An almost ideal setting for golf IMHO.  The bunkering is more low profile than some of Pete's "PGA West-bunkers rising up from the ground" style which I don't enjoy (like the new bunkers at the corner of the dogleg on the 2nd @ Crooked Stick).  Unlike the look of many of the holes at Crooked Stick now, The Bridgewater Club looks like it's been there for years.  Please go out and take a tour.

I haven't seen The Sagamore Club yet, and unfortunately, I've never played Harbour Trees.

TS

[Tim Liddy]

As you know building a golf course is always a team effort of laborers, operators, etc. whose talent always contribute greatly to the finished project, but this course will be known as a Pete Dye / Tim Liddy design.  I was the “project architect” on the site a couple days a week. Mr. Dye was on site as needed for much needed review, direction and commiseration. Good projects take good clients and a good site.  This project has both. You need to loosen your wallet and join.

[Tim Liddy]

T.J. Sturges,

Also, although I have not seen all of Ross’s golf courses in the north-east, your course (Broadmoor) has the best Ross bunkers I have seen anywhere.  They have had a great influence on me.  I have been told they were built by the Mashburn brothers.  They are very elegant and I, for one, (and I am sure they will be done correctly by Doak) will watch closely as they are planned for restoration. A great golf course.

[T.J. Sturges]

Tim,

I am excited about the restoration project @ BCC.  When the work is complete, Broadmoor will be a shining star.  I think Broadmoor (currently $0 initiation fee to join) is so underpriced in the US golf market that it is getting silly.  I think when this project is done, Broadmoor will be a solid 7 on the Doak scale (maybe even a low , and will be recognized as one of the premier courses in the midwest.  With other Indy area private clubs initiation fees closer to 20k (and higher) I predict Broadmoor's price will "correct" in this marketplace and end up close to 20 by the end of the decade. NOTE TO INDY AREA GOLFERS:  Join now!!

Having said that, I do agree with you that the Bridgewater Club would be a terrific place to play on a regular basis.  If I lived on that side of town, I'd go for it.  Would love to get a personal tour from you Tim if you are in town one of these days.  You can reach me at:   sturges_crew@yahoo.com

Thanks for your role in building Bridgewater.  I can't wait to play it!

TS

[John Nixon]

The course's web site has a link to some recent photos:

http://www.bridgewaterclub.com/

Both Bridgewater and the Nicklaus Sagamore are built on fairly similar types of terrain and are relatively close to one another. It will be interesting to see how they fare re memberships, house sales, public perception, critical views, etc.