CHRISTINE FRAISER

What do the Lahinch Golf Club in Ireland and the Toronto Golf Club in Canada have in common, besides the fact they are top-level golf courses? They happen to be golf courses touched by the creative hand of 32-year-old golf course architect Christine Fraser. How did this young Canadian, end up working in the golf course design industry? You’d have to go back to her early childhood to start that story.

Golf has always been a part of her life. Christine grew up in a family whose life centered around golf. In 1970, her maternal grandparents bought a piece of land outside Kingston, Ontario. This piece of land would become Camden Braes Golf Course.

Christine and her brother spent summers on the golf course as children. It was a natural transition to start playing the game. Her mother and uncles worked at the golf course, later taking over when her grandparents retired.

On summer mornings, she and her brother Brad would be the first ones on the golf course. They might be gone for hours. Club members would complete 18 holes, then return to the clubhouse, often stopping to tell her mother that they had seen Christine and her brother on the 11th hole swimming in the pond or that they had seen them on the 4th hole looking for golf balls. They would be sure to report that they were fine.

Christine’s main sports interest was hockey. She played hockey competitively all year round. She enjoyed golf and found the game came to her easily. Her family spent the school March Break in Florida each year. When she was in Grade 12, she and her brother were at a driving range hitting a few balls. Christine was approached by someone who complimented her on her swing. She was also asked if she attended Stetson University.

The question piqued her interest, so she contacted the university golf coach to discuss the program. She ultimately chose golf in Florida rather than attending Queen’s University in Canada to play hockey.

For the next four years, she worked on her Bachelor of Arts degree and played golf. Lots of golf! It was an intense NCAA Division 1 sports program. While Christine enjoyed the game, she knew from having played it six days a week for four years, that it was not something she was good enough to take to the professional level. After her graduation in 2009, she returned to Canada.

She worked for what is now called Golf Canada, running their amateur golf tournaments. She knew she wanted to stay in the golf industry but wasn’t sure in what capacity. One day she read an article about Chambers Bay in Washington. It’s a site that was originally a sand and gravel mine adjacent to Puget Sound. Today it hosts world-class golf tournaments. She immediately knew that this type of golf course architectural project was something that interested her.

She enrolled in the Master of Landscape Architecture program at the University of Guelph in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. Golf and landscape architecture were a good fit for her. In her final year, she was working on her thesis and was awarded some grant money to collect data.

She was conducting interviews with golf course superintendents to gather different perspectives on what makes their respective golf course appeal to golfers. She also wanted to know what would encourage golfer participation from a maintenance perspective.

The first modern game of golf was developed in Scotland, so this was a great starting place to collect some data, as well as a fantastic country to visit. She set up a meeting with the superintendent of the much talked about Trump Aberdeen.

During their meeting, the superintendent excused himself to take a phone call. Christine heard him say the name Martin, as he walked away. When the meeting resumed, she asked if it had been Martin Hawtree on the phone. In her own words she “geeked out” when she heard that it was. In the world of golf architecture, he is a rock star.

Martin Hawtree is a 3rd generation golf course architect based in England. Hawtree LTD started in 1912 and is one of the largest architectural practices in Europe. A meeting between Martin and Christine followed. Soon the process for Christine to continue to learn and work under Martin’s mentorship was in the works.

The process of moving to England, the location to Hawtree LTD's office, took some time. After her 2014 graduation from the University of Guelph, she took a shortterm job with a Canadian golf course construction company. Here she literally worked from the ground up and got her hands dirty wielding a shovel and rake.

Once settled in England, her work began. One of the highlights of this career is the opportunity to travel to see some of the world’s most impressive golf courses. Ireland is where she spent most of her time working. Her portfolio contains illustrious names like Lahinch Golf Club, Tralee Golf Club and Trump International Golf Links Doonbeg as well as the 9 Hole Watson Course at the Toronto Golf Club in Canada.

management.” Christine Fraser

When she talks about landscape architecture, her eyes sparkle with enthusiasm. Her genuine smile shows her passion for the subject.

She describes landscape architecture as an art. The personality of the land, as well as the owners, must be taken into consideration. As well, the architect must take into account the expectations of the owner and committees. These are not necessarily realistic with the property or the budget. Her job is to create a design that is a balance between all elements.

In a new build, there are lots of bureaucratic elements, from planning permits to authority from conservationists, environmentalists and naturalists. For restoration or modification, she may need to look at the background history of the course, old aerial photos, speak to older club members and have a public consultation.

These aspects are what make the job so interesting and why every project is so different.

There is no offseason for the golf course architect. Winter is on-site construction and supervision, while summer is design work and planning for the next project. The bonus here is to travel across Europe and North America, getting to walk the various courses she works on to get a feel for them.

During her time in this field, she has not met one other female golf architect. Nor has she been a member of a committee with another female nor met a female owner. She hopes that more will get involved in the coming years.

Her sentiments fit perfectly with the initiative developed by the LPGA Women’s Network. The #inviteHER movement seeks to create an enjoyable, welcoming experience for women interested in trying the game or picking it back up. This can be through a group lesson, complimentary clinic, driving range session, or on-course experience. Maybe someday some of these women will be looking at golf course architecture as a career.

Christine is back in Canada now working on building her own brand at Christine Fraser Designs. She continues to refine her craft by collaborating with tenured architects most notably Jeff Mingay. Golf, design and travel are all in her future so watch out for her name on the design of a golf course near you.

TRIVIA MADNESS EVERY 1ST + 3RD MONDAY | 7 PM DOUGHNUT & BEER PAIRING EVERY 3RD WEDNESDAY | 7 PM SWEET TREAT PAIRING EVERY 1ST WEDNESDAY YOGA UNDER THE STARS EVERY 3RD FRIDAY | 7 PM DRUM CIRCLE EVERY 1ST SATURDAY | 8 PM OLD TIME MUSIC JAM EVERY 2ND SUNDAY | 4 PM BEER: 30 30TH OF EVERY MONTH

30+ TAPS | MON.-SAT. 6 PM FREE BREWERY TOURS 1301 ATLANTA AVE. ORLANDO, FL 32806 407 872 1117 | ORLANDOBREWING.COM

Reconnect with family and friends in picturesque Geneva, Illinois. The town, framed by the scenic Fox River, beautiful parks and historic neighborhoods, offers boutique shopping, sophisticated dining and luxurious lodging. Festivals and non-stop special events bring a bustle of activity throughout the year welcoming locals and visitors from around the state. Located just 40 miles west of Chicago and easily accessible via train or the interstate, Geneva offers boundless opportunities for good fun and great memories.

Over 160 specialty shops are housed downtown in charming Victorian-style homes and historic buildings. Geneva merchants fill their shops each season with exclusive treasures from around the world. Distinctive art galleries, trendy clothing, elegant home decor, specialty cookware, designer jewelry, stylish shoes, unique food places, fun children’s clothes and toys, unusual garden plants and accessories are housed in every corner of the shopping district. The creative arts—quilting, knitting, stitching, beading, scrapbooking and pottery painting—are also represented. A different experience awaits those wanting to shop the more than 70 shops and dining areas at the Geneva Commons located minutes from the downtown. Options abound and make Geneva one of the best shopping destinations in the Chicagoland area.

Endless options await your palate from local eateries and neighborhood pubs to award-winning restaurants with American and international cuisine. Gather at landmark establishments in casual or sophisticated settings where welcoming staff make you feel part of the family. Fine wine lists, unique beers, signature specials, and tempting treats offer interesting choices for everyone. Snack on miniature pastries, chocolate fondue, home-made ice cream and other delicious treats throughout the afternoon and don’t forget to visit one (or several) of the fine wine sellers to sample and shop for gifts and related accessories. At night, check out establishments for “open mikes,” live entertainment and great dancing in friendly settings.

Sweet dreams await you with luxury lodging offering a host of amenities and services to travelers of all ages and of every budget. Swimming pools, exercise rooms, fireplaces, spa services, river view terraces, boutiques, gardens, and WiFi-Internet connections provide the ultimate in comfort and indulgence. Stay in hotels that are recipients of AAA Three and Four Diamond awards or retreat to an historic bed & breakfast inn on seven acres of tranquil terrain. Enjoy friendly staff and unforgettable experiences just a few minutes from the downtown. Don’t forget to explore special weekend and romantic getaway packages or settings for wedding, receptions, banquets, and private parties.

Pick a bench along the river or in a park and let the quiet beauty of nature surround you. Bike, run and walk along paths offering spectacular views. Treat yourself at one of many salons and spas offering extensive beauty and relaxation services. Play a round of golf, fish, kayak, swim and slide at the local pool or cheer on the Kane County Cougars Class A baseball team. Discover a butterfly farm, the local skateboarding park, Frank Lloyd Wright’s redesign of the Fabyan Villa, an historic Viking Ship, and our very own Japanese tea garden. The Geneva History Center provides state-of-the-art facilities, professional exhibits, and self-guided tour maps for insight into the town’s rich heritage. Theater lovers will find abundant choices and treasure hunters will adore the Kane County Flea Market. And for the romantic at heart, Geneva offers horse-drawn antique carriage rides specific times of the year-compliments of the Chamber of Commerce and the City of Geneva.

Thousands of visitors make Geneva their destination each year. Many seek out the fun activities that take place during annual award winning festivals and events sponsored by the Geneva Chamber of Commerce:

December 4-5, 2020

Adorned in historic charm and on-going celebrations, Geneva has everything you need to make winter just a memory! Whether you are looking for a way to spend a few hours, the night, or several days, visit Geneva and create moments that last a lifetime.

For a free visitors guide call: 630-232-6060 or visit www.genevachamber.com to discover a complete list of businesses, events and attractions.