LAR Alumni Create Wolfpack Links

LA R Alumni Create Wolfpack Links

Story and photos by Tim Peeler/GoPack.com

For Erik Larsen and Brandon Johnson, designing and overseeing the construction ofthe Lonnie Poole GolfCourse was more than just another assignment for the Arnold Palmer Design Company. It was a way to give back to the school where they both received their college educations. Larsen, who earned a degree in landscape architecture and horticulture in 1977, has helped the King ofGolfdesign and build more than 100 golfcourses since joining Palmer’s company in 1983. But none means more to him than this one. “When I first heard that NC State wanted to build a golfcourse on Centennial Campus, I walked into Claude McKinney’s office and asked about being part ofthe project,” Larsen said. “That was in 1989. A lot has happened since then, but now we have a great golfcourse here.” The Audubon-certified course, which means it was built and will be maintained in an environmentally friendly manner, is the first Palmer has ever built on a college campus.

Brandon Johnson (BLA 1997), Legendary Golfer Arnold Palmer and Erik Larsen (BLA R/Hort. 1977) attended the opening of the Lonnie Poole Golf Course, which they designed. View from # 17 green of hole # 18.

For Johnson, who graduated with a degree in landscape architecture with a minor in music performance in 1997, assisting in the construction ofthe long-awaited NC State course fulfills several dreams. He remembers writing a research paper on Palmer when he was a senior at South Mecklenburg High School in Charlotte. It wasn’t very good, Johnson admits, but remembering it makes him smile after working for Palmer since 2006. “This project couldn’t have been better for me,” Johnson said. “I got to build a golfcourse for my alma mater and for my boss and one ofmy biggest influences. This is really a dream come true.” Johnson and Larsen were on site every couple ofweeks throughout the 25-month construction process (Palmer, on the other hand, toured the site three times.) They were heavily involved in every phase of construction ofthe 7,358-yard, par-71 course, which was carved out of 200 pristine acres ofhardwoods and evergreens. All three were on hand on July 31, when Palmer officially declared the $11.6 million project open for the public.