09.11.2015 - continued
County Louth GC appoints SVV to create masterplan
"In 2012 we started our collaboration with County Louth Golf Club, which until now has resulted in changes to holes 2, 5, 17 and 18. These changes have been very well received and were the result of many factors. The 5th hole had to be changed to be able to maintain a healthy turf on the green. The 2nd hole had been changed significantly over the years and the green, which had been added about 10 years ago, was too severe - so much that it was partly unplayable during some relatively normal wind conditions. The strategy of the hole was also not in sync with the thoughts of the original architect. The same can be said about the finishing hole, which is a completely different hole than what it was in the past" says Philip Spogárd, who is leading the project on behalf of SVV. "As courses gets older, they face different challenges, as the game of golf changes and the green keeping methods evolve. Golf is in many ways a different game today compared to 1938, when the course opened for play. The distances modern golfers can fly the golf ball makes many hazards obsolete. The number of golfers per day is also significantly higher today compared to back then, which can seriously stress the turf in high traffic areas. This was very much the case with green number 5, where only 1 or 2 pin positions existed on the green due to areas becoming unpinnable as a result of modern green keeping standards", says Philip.
"We have now been commissioned to create a long term Development Masterplan for the golf course, where we can focus on maximising the potential of each hole. For us that is the ultimate compliment and we are thrilled and proud to help the club on its future journey. We are in no ways interested in ripping up the golf course - on the contrary - we are looking at how we can highlight what is there, but at the same time make sure the course moves in the right direction. It can be details such as hiding paths in the landscape and looking at how to move traffic from greens to tees, in a natural and understated way, which enables the golfer to focus on enjoying the course. There are a few areas, where adjustments might be made to tees and bunkering, to make sure that the holes present themselves as well as they can", Philip continues.
SVV has also been commissioned to create an extensive chipping and pitching facility near the clubhouse - something the club has felt it has needed for years. As this will be located close to the entry road, which is currently being re-routed, the work by SVV will include developing a landscape concept for this area as well.
"The addition of the chipping and pitching area will be fantastic for the membership. Even though the area where it is located is currently flat, we plan to shape this into linksland to connect it with the nearby dunes. As this area is so closely connected with the entrance road leading to the clubhouse, we felt it was only natural that our work would include proposals for the experience you get as you first enter the land. Currently you get more of a parkland feel when you approach the clubhouse, as the entry road is treelined with ornamental plantings. We will propose a different expression with more focus on the linksland and the attributes relating to that type of landscape", ends Philip.
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