Is Tim Kratz still around? I'd love to get an early timeline of the development process. I know there was a group on Denver guys who started the club (were they Sand Hills members?) How did they find that specific plot of land? Who were they considering for the job? How did they decide on Jack?
In one of the older threads, Tim said their instructions were as follows (I'm paraphrasing):
- Free reign of 3,000 acres, build the best 18 holes available
- Move as little dirt as possible
- Make the course walkable
Edit: found this from Tim in a post from 2005:
"Thanks to all for the words of encouragement. Let me answer a couple of questions. This is the first development project I’ve been involved in, and it probably will be the only one. I don't think any of the principals in the project are going to be able to leave their day jobs. It is a labor of love, and our goal is simply to create a great golf course and a special place and not lose money in the process.
I became involved mostly by happenstance. All of the principals have always loved Sand Hills Golf Club and the region as a whole, but we had no intention to develop a golf course there or anywhere else. That changed when a client of a very good friend found a small ranch for sale and asked my friend and I if we would be interested in helping him develop a course. We toured the land, and we were hooked. The land is similar to that at Sand Hills, but seems a bit more rugged with a little more elevation change. Nicklaus graciously agreed to spend some time on the land with us before we even made the purchase. He loved it, and his great enthusiasm for the project is one of the reasons we asked him to do the work. Obviously, Jack’s name recognition also was a significant fact in our decision to use him for the project.
Jack has has stated that this is a rare piece of land, and he truly seems to relish the opportunity. Chris Cochran, who is extremely talented and a wonderful person, is the design associate. (I think Chris also worked on Pronghorn, but I could be wrong). Chris really has poured his heart into the project.
The holding basin serves several purposes. First, it gives us emergency back-up irrigation capacity if anything ever happens to the well. Second, it allows the water to warm a bit before we use it to irrigate, which is a bit less harsh to the grass. Third, though you will not see if from the course, it will be aesthetically pleasing, and we will stock it for fishing.
Surprises? I think there will be many. For now, let me mention the 18th green. The natural site for the green complex for this par five was extraordinarilly long and narrow. We figured Jack might would want to move some dirt. No. It's staying au naturale. Maybe 50 yards long and 7 yards wide, in sort of a crescent moon shape, with blowout bunkers lurking on each side. Not an easy approach -- but it sure will be fun to try. tk"