BELMONT COUNTRY CLUB - ANOTHER DONALD ROSS BEAUTY GETS A NEW FACE
The renovation of another Ross course is about to begin for Schreiner Golf, Inc. The classic layout is located in Belmont, Massachusetts just outside of Boston. The project took some four years to completely advance from conception thru membership approval finally to permitting and competitive bidding. The overall goal of complete renovation took many years to plan and approve. The golf course will get a complete overhauling from drainage to irrigation to new green construction and bunker renovation.
The complete reconstruction and design of each green will highlight the most important aspect of this complete renovation. Donald Ross was noted for his wonderful greens and strategic bunkering. The oldest greens will be replicated and enlarged to their original size. The newer greens (built in the 70's) will be modified to emulate Ross's genius for natural looking well drainage putting surfaces.
Severe drainage problems have plagued the facility since several holes were relocated to a lowland portion of the site due to Route 2 expansion back in the 70's. The complete upgrade of the drainage system will ensure that the course can open immediately after periods of rain instead of waiting days for the lower holes to firm up enough to handle golf cars and maintenance equipment.
The concept of the drainage system is based on a sump system that will drain the lower holes while serving as a transfer pump for the irrigation system. Three miles of sub-surface lateral drain lines will allow play to continue immediately after periods of rain rather that days after!
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The pond at the 5th hole is the last outfall for the majority of the site.
After the renovation work is completed, the entire drainage system will
able to replenish the irrigation pond located at the north end of the
site.
The concept of the drainage system is based on a sump system that will drain the lower holes while serving as a transfer pump for the irrigation system. Three miles of sub-surface lateral drain lines will allow play to continue immediately after periods of rain rather that days after!
All
bunkers will be rebuilt and positioned appropriately and strategically.
Each bunker will have drainage and a superb erosion barrier to reduce
maintenance and improve playing consistency and quality.
The
1st green will be built to resemble the original one. The emphasis on
natural looking putting surfaces will be a design feature of green. Surface
drainge will also be an indespensable design criteria and one that Ross
was noted for.
