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
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Grading the area to be sodded
Greg Wnuk seaming the bentgrass sod
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Rolling the finished product
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Completed project!
