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Paul Richards

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Birmingham CC, MICHIGAN !!!!!
« on: August 08, 2006, 07:56:35 PM »
Anyone know the architectural history of Birmingham, MI CC?

I understand they are about to embark on a restoration.  Any idea with whom?

Thanks

« Last Edit: August 08, 2006, 08:55:05 PM by Paul Richards »
"Something has to change, otherwise the never-ending arms race that benefits only a few manufacturers will continue to lead to longer courses, narrower fairways, smaller greens, more rough, more expensive rounds, and other mechanisms that will leave golf's future in doubt." -  TFOG

Paul Richards

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Re:Birmingham CC
« Reply #1 on: August 08, 2006, 08:42:07 PM »
Shivas

Thanks.


(I think)


 ::)
"Something has to change, otherwise the never-ending arms race that benefits only a few manufacturers will continue to lead to longer courses, narrower fairways, smaller greens, more rough, more expensive rounds, and other mechanisms that will leave golf's future in doubt." -  TFOG

Bill_McBride

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Re:Birmingham CC
« Reply #2 on: August 08, 2006, 08:45:47 PM »
My very superficial knowledge:  both courses originally Ross, one completely changed in a Pete Dype redesign/remodel.  :o  Apparently they are completely different.  Not sure which is being remodeled again but bet it's to soften the Dye.  I haven't played there so this speculation of the worst sort, based on superficial knowledge.  ::)

Paul Richards

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Birmingham CC
« Reply #3 on: August 08, 2006, 08:51:12 PM »
Gents

This thread is about Birmingham CC, in MICHIGAN!


thanks!
"Something has to change, otherwise the never-ending arms race that benefits only a few manufacturers will continue to lead to longer courses, narrower fairways, smaller greens, more rough, more expensive rounds, and other mechanisms that will leave golf's future in doubt." -  TFOG

Bill_McBride

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Birmingham CC
« Reply #4 on: August 08, 2006, 08:52:41 PM »
Oh.  Not Birmingham CC in Alabama.   :-X :-\  Whoops.

Kris Spence

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Re:Birmingham CC, MICHIGAN !!!!!
« Reply #5 on: August 08, 2006, 10:19:43 PM »
Paul, when I spoke with them about the job, their web site indicated it was a Ross however the information I found on the course leaned toward Bendelow.  They immediately removed the Ross reference soon after we spoke the first time.  I never visited the course only having phone conversations / interview.  They did not indicate whom they hired when letting me know I was not the chosen one.

Paul Richards

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Re:Birmingham CC, MICHIGAN !!!!!
« Reply #6 on: August 08, 2006, 10:26:13 PM »
Kris

I, too, thought it was a Ross.

However, I think the Bendelow lean with work by RTJ and Art Hills is more along the correct lines....


"Something has to change, otherwise the never-ending arms race that benefits only a few manufacturers will continue to lead to longer courses, narrower fairways, smaller greens, more rough, more expensive rounds, and other mechanisms that will leave golf's future in doubt." -  TFOG

plabatt

Re:Birmingham CC, MICHIGAN !!!!!
« Reply #7 on: August 09, 2006, 03:29:54 PM »
C&W credits Bendelow with revisions by Reid/Connellan, Diddel, Bruce and Jerry Matthews, and Arthur Hills, being the most recent.  IMO many of the green complexes and bunkering are Reid/Connellan in nature.

Jim Nugent

Re:Birmingham CC, MICHIGAN !!!!!
« Reply #8 on: August 09, 2006, 03:42:30 PM »
I heard Bear Bryant did some redesign work on it... ;)

Shiv, you got that confused with "Bear's Best".  

Just wanted to straighten out that misconception.  

Brad Klein

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Birmingham CC, MICHIGAN !!!!!
« Reply #9 on: August 10, 2006, 08:43:21 AM »
BCC dates to a 1916 routing by Tom Bendelow of 9 holes, subsequently expanded to 18 holes in 1920, also by Bendelow. There are no club records documenting the original 9-hole layout or even the subsequent 18 hole facility.

A number of designers have subsequently been involved at BCC. In the mid-to late-1920s, English-born Wilfrid Reid and former Donald Ross construction supervisor William Connellan (the same designers of the highly-regarded Indianwood Country Club-Old Course in Lake Orion, Mich.) did unspecified worked on BCC.

In 1930, William E. Diddel, a respected Indianapolis-based designer who went on to design well over 200 courses throughout the Midwest, did some work at BCC – most likely limited to green renovation and bunker removal, since club finances in those days would not have allowed for more extensive work.

More work took place in the second half of the century. In preparation for the 1953 PGA Championship, Robert Trent Jones Sr. rebuilt bunkers and tightened some of the landing areas and added a handful of new back tees. In 1963, the Michigan-based team of Bruce and Jerry Matthews undertook more renovation. Finally, the club retained the services of Arthur Hills in 1985 for a variety of reovations.rk at BCC, mainly to bunkers, fairway alignments and tees.

PThomas

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Re:Birmingham CC, MICHIGAN !!!!!
« Reply #10 on: August 10, 2006, 08:47:03 AM »
BCC dates to a 1916 routing by Tom Bendelow of 9 holes, subsequently expanded to 18 holes in 1920, also by Bendelow. There are no club records documenting the original 9-hole layout or even the subsequent 18 hole facility.

A number of designers have subsequently been involved at BCC. In the mid-to late-1920s, English-born Wilfrid Reid and former Donald Ross construction supervisor William Connellan (the same designers of the highly-regarded Indianwood Country Club-Old Course in Lake Orion, Mich.) did unspecified worked on BCC.

In 1930, William E. Diddel, a respected Indianapolis-based designer who went on to design well over 200 courses throughout the Midwest, did some work at BCC – most likely limited to green renovation and bunker removal, since club finances in those days would not have allowed for more extensive work.

More work took place in the second half of the century. In preparation for the 1953 PGA Championship, Robert Trent Jones Sr. rebuilt bunkers and tightened some of the landing areas and added a handful of new back tees. In 1963, the Michigan-based team of Bruce and Jerry Matthews undertook more renovation. Finally, the club retained the services of Arthur Hills in 1985 for a variety of reovations.rk at BCC, mainly to bunkers, fairway alignments and tees.


wow, what a "mutt" of a course ; i.e., lots of designers involved
199 played, only Augusta National left to play!