Tuesday, December 10, 2013

THE TIMES THEY ARE A-CHANGIN’…BACK

Our signature hole #6, at the UMGC, has gone through an expansion project that increased the area of the upper shelf by 40%. This green expansion is a key element to changes that have been seen on the course in recent years.  We are fortunate, at the UMGC, to have such a rich historical record of the golf course that dates back to 1931. The project reclaims a large area that would have been included in the original 1931 MacKenzie design of #6 green. 

The row of pines and shrubbery that were a later addition to the course were removed and sodded over with fescue. The entire redesign of the top of #6 is a call back to the great architect’s plan and philosophy. MacKenzie made a career switch to golf course architecture from medicine. He thought of golf as a social game that was good for people’s health. Our hope is that this project will help open up the course to the camaraderie among players that is so inherent in the great game of golf. 

Hole #6 is one of the many projects included in the UMGC's Master Plan. Other future plans include the removal of declining and dead trees, transplanting of existing trees and planting of new trees. As well as, green expansions and green restorations. The UMGC's Master Plan is a multi-year plan that intends to create a more enjoyable golf course while respecting the course's history and tradition. Come play the UMGC in the spring of 2014 and let us know what you think.

#6 Green before ground is broken on project

Amending the soil in preparation for bentgrass sod 

Dean Noworyta limbing a spruce before felling it

All areas almost ready for sod!

Mark Richards preping the transition edge from existing green to new sod

Grading the area to be sodded

Greg Wnuk seaming the bentgrass sod

 Rolling the finished product

Completed project!