7 minute read

Burlington Renovation Master Plan: Complete

from ONCourse November 2020

by Blenheim

from ONCourse November 2020, page 6

Editorial Message

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By Ryan Marangoni, Assistant Course Superintendent, Burlington G & CC. Photos provided by Burlington G&CC.

Have you ever had an idea? I would imagine, the answer is YES! As greenskeepers, we have had lots of ideas. Most are centered around improvement; identifying or realizing a deficiency and brainstorming avenues which will transform the deficiencies into efficiencies. Some come to fruition while others do not. Some are quick fixes and some commonly get forgotten about, ignored or given up on if they take longer to complete. It takes patience, perseverance and determination to think of an idea, create a plan and see it to completion.

The team at Burlington Golf and Country Club (BGCC) knows all about seeing an idea come to fruition. In the early 2000’s, there was an idea (well, many ideas), to improve upon an old, tiny Stanley Thompson designed golf course that gets played ALOT by its membership. The idea was presented to the board and they agreed to take on the challenge, led by golf course architect Doug Carrick.

Understanding the Club is rich in history and some clubs have difficulty accepting change, Carrick knew he had to retain the spirit of Stanley Thompson, in his plan. Carrick created a master plan for BGCC in 2006 in hopes to diversify the teeing grounds, redesign bunkers, improve cart part infill structure, upgrade the irrigation system, incorporate a tree management program and increase the size of some greens to help distribute the wear and tear of a very busy golf course.

Being a vintage 1922 Thompson course, it had his stereotypical teeing areas which often included only one or two tee decks per hole, that were narrow and very long. These tee decks had to facilitate a number of tee blocks which ultimately played too long for some and too short for others. As golf equipment evolves from hickory shafts and feather- filled golf balls to graphite shafts and coated synthetic balls, so must the course, to adapt to the added length a golfer can hit the ball now, compared to way back then.

Carrick could only do so much to increase the length of the course because BGCC sits on a very small piece of land just over 100 acres. Eight of the holes had length added to them with the 14th and 5th being the most significant at a 50-yard increase to each from the back tees. Carrick, recognizing the wide variety of skill levels, introduced many more forward tees to help grow the game. Every hole has had at least one, or multiple forward tee decks added to it over the years.

Most of the earlier work was smaller scaled, like tees, cart paths and bunkers which allowed for less disruption, lower financial burden and the ability for membership to continue to play their golf course though construction. Most recently, the construction that started in the fall of 2019 was a very big undertaking and the largest piece of the master plan. The final project involved redesigning two par 4’s and a par 3, moving the irrigation pond and installing a brand-new irrigation system. Meanwhile, in the clubhouse, the kitchen, the men’s and ladies lounges, the restaurant and outdoor patio all got renovated at the same time. Albeit, the

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Green #5 replacement.

Hole #5 gained 50 yards by turning a straight-away short par 4 into an up-hill dogleg.

clubhouse work was not part of the master plan, but it contributed private golf clubs change frequently and that can be challenging greatly to the financial load and disruption to the membership. when everyone has their own opinions, especially when they are

Arguably, the main focal point of this project is the par 4 -17th passionate about their golf course. The consistency comes from hole, that sits entirely along the shore of Lake Ontario. In the 80’s, the club leaders (COO, Superintendent, Club Professional etc.) this hole was redesigned by an architect named Robert Moote, to be the reminding voice about the master plan and staying on who actually worked with Stanley Thompson when he started his track. That said, plans get tweaked and new ideas arise as different career as a young architect. The 17th hole stands out not because phases are finished. Prioritizing resources and breaking the big of the spectacular views to the lake and picture master plan down into smaller, more Skyway Bridge but some would because it manageable projects to accomplish every did not match the designed features and couple of years, is how the team at BGCC flow of the rest of the golf course. It was a blind shot off the tee, rolling into a very It is now time for them to successfully completed their long-range master plan in 2020. narrow approach towards a three-tiered green that sat behind the irrigation pond. enjoy their golf course with Over the past decade and a half, which is the time it has taken to travel this After Carrick’s redesign, golfers can now see the green while standing on the tee and no disruptions. masterful journey, the members at BGCC have developed “construction fatigue”. It all the way up the wide, firm fairway. The is now time for them to enjoy their golf challenging approach shot is into a very course with no disruptions. They will watch large and elevated green. This style of golf as these three new holes grow-in just in hole is a common trait Stanley Thompson included on many of his time for 2022, Burlington Golf and Country Club’s Centennial older courses, including other holes at BGCC. Anniversary year.

“Master plans get adopted or scrapped. Some clubs have been at Despite the construction fatigue, the generous members and them for 20 - 30 years and they don’t always finish. It takes a huge the ambitious management team at BGCC are already pondering amount of commitment to complete.” Carrick stated, when asked the next long-range strategy for once the Centennial celebrations about master plans at private golf clubs. have come and gone. Invariably considering new ideas. The team

In order to complete a plan, regardless of the size or scale of work; is never satisfied with “good enough”, constantly attempting to consistency, determination and a great deal of commitment will conceive new efficiencies while eliminating the deficiencies, be required. Generally, committees and board of directors within always in pursuit of excellence. ■