A Golf Course Master Plan for:
United States Naval Academy Golf Club Annapolis, Maryland The United States Naval Academy Golf Club is a national golf treasure. Designed by William Flynn in 1944, it serves as his last design that remains in existence. Flynn who is famous for his work at Shinnecock Hills, Merion, Cherry Hills, Indian Creek, the Cascades, and numerous Philadelphia area courses, was a master of golf strategy and his design elements are timeless. His work at the United States Naval Academy Golf Club put it among the greatest academic institution golf facilities. It has the charm and classic nature of C.B. MacDonald’s Yale Golf Course, the strength and strategy of Alister MacKenzie’s Scarlet Course at Ohio State, and the graceful lines of play of George Thomas’ Stanford Golf Course. All it is missing is a renovation and awakening of it elements. n early 2013, McDonald Design Group was commissioned by the United States Naval Academy Golf Club to review the Golf Course Restoration Plan completed Iin 2007. The purpose of this reassessment was to update and enhance the original plan so that it generated the best course of action to completely revitalize the facility. The result is a comprehensive Master Plan that addresses all the needs of the golfers who play the US Naval Academy Golf Club. Additional considerations were also added for the Midshipmen Golf Teams. Rear Tees have been located to stretch the golf course to over 7,000 yards. Multiple Practice opportunities have been incorporated to allow for exciting and realistic feedback that will give the teams a much needed home for dedicated preparation. The final product provides for all new playing features and surfaces throughout the golf course and establishes a modern standard. The implementation of the plan will set the course up to thrive for decades to come.
Contents: US Naval Academy History 2 William S. Flynn 6 The Golf Course Master Plan 8 The Putting Surface 10 The Teeing Ground 12 The Bunkers 14 The Fairways 16 The Drainage 17 Hole By Hole 18 The Practice Ground 36 Implementation of the Vision 40 United States Naval Academy Golf Course History
n 1928, William Richardson and Fred Rhodes, two Washington lawyers, bought the Remsen brothers’ dairy farm on Greenbury Point. Upon this peninsula Ithey placed a golf course that would be called Greenbury Point Yacht and Country Club. The course was designed by Harry Collis, an English immigrant. Mr. Collis, who began his golf career as the greenskeeper at Indianapolis Country Club, had designed or remodeled a number of golf courses across America by the time he came to Annapolis. It appears that Collis may have been contacted by Richardson and Rhodes because of his 1923 work at Manor Country Club in Rockville, Maryland. The original course at Greenbury had nine holes on the flat coastal plain bordering the Chesapeake Bay and nine holes along the “high ground” to the northwest.
Greenbury Point Yacht and Country Club had a short life before the Great Depression. As economic hard times fell on the country the golf course could no longer sustain its operation. In 1938, the Navy purchased the golf course to expand its radio station complex. As a by product the Naval Academy inherited the remnant portions of Collis’s design. The enlarged radio center destroyed much of what was the front nine, leaving a hodgepodge of golf holes for the Academy. In October of 1940 the Naval Academy Golf Club opened for play on the rough nine hole course.
Cleared Centerlines
Current #8 Green
Current #1 Green
This aerial from 1942 shows the US Naval academy golf course under construction. There are a number of visual clues to the features William Current #5 Green Flynn pulled from the original Collis design and how he went about incorporating his ideas. Current #7 Green
Current #9 Green
After two years of play across the reclaimed golf holes, William Flynn, a well-respected golf architect, was hired to design a proper golf course for the Naval Academy. He was charged with creating a golf course that utilized any usable remnant of the original Greenbury course. He therefore incorporated a number of the original greens into his routing, including today’s 1st, 5th, 7th, and 9th. Flynn’s ability to fit these holes into a quality sequence and then find the remaining holes on the natural lay of the land was critical to the quality of the final layout. He placed 11 holes south of Greenbury Point Road and 7 to the north. The finished product opened for play May 1, 1944.
Much has changed on Greenbury Point since 1944. The Naval radio station expanded periodically from WWII to the end of the Cold War, placing new towers and buildings across the peninsula. In 1954 expansion plans were made for the area in and around the current 2nd green. As a result two holes of the original design were taken out of play. At the time the par 4, 3rd played away from 2nd, along the southern side of Greenbury Point Road and the 4th, a long double-dogleg par- 5 played back to near today’s 3rd tee. These holes were removed to make way for the construction and two new holes were built along the northwest corner of the property to fill out the golf course. The resulting reconfiguration and renumbering of the golf course ultimately led to the course that golfers enjoy today.
Even though the golf course has evolved 1952 in the decades since the US Naval Academy Golf Course was founded, it stands today as one of the least touched William Flynn designs. His outstanding routing and well incorporated strategies continue to provide a quality golf experience to all who play.
2011
William S. Flynn
Flynn was hired by hugh Wilson to help complete the East course at merion golf club. after the course was finished he served as the greenkeeper. Wilson was so enamored with Flynn that they planned to form a golf design partnership. when Wilson’s health failed flynn was left to pursue the business plan on his own. GC
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of of g les as h in g ton eartwellville erion erion arble oylestown ittansett len ollin g ala eaver tlanti c own e pp er ine h ila d el ph ia a lyria obb olu m bia levelan d e h i gh o c a ine R CC G H M M C D CC E W T C B K A M C E P B L P P B P 1910 1920 1890 W i l l i a m f l y n n ’ s w o r k (r) - denotes renovation lynn’s work excelled in the 1920’s. Widely considered one of the best decades for golf design, he completed some of the most outstanding golf courses the FUnited States had ever seen. He was a master at routing superior golf holes no matter the site, may it be a pine flat in Florida or a mountainside in Virginia. He valued all segments of the game but considered accuracy the most important. He perfected the “preferred line of play,” a strategy that forced the golfer to think their way around the golf course and place their shots properly to have an advantage on their next.
“The principal consideration of the architect is to design his course in such a way as to hold the interest of the player from the first tee to the last green and to present the problems of the various holes in such a way that they register in the player’s mind as he stands on the tee or on the fairway for the shot to the green.
The best way to whet the appetite and improve the game of any golfer is to offer an incentive and provide a re- ward for high class play, and by high class play is meant simply the best of which each individual is capable.
Placing a premium on accuracy with due consideration
CC for length should be the aim of all men who design golf courses, for accuracy in the play signifies skill and skill is reek
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r n d ian I During the late 1930’s the U.S. economy -William S. Flynn began to rebound. it was too late for CC ( William flynn, however, he completed October 1927 USGA Green Section Record ike relatively very little work after 1929. Flynn’s Crew in Florida included future architects Dick P Wilson (far left) and Red Lawrence (far right) unne h anna S CC e pp er )
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W i l l i a m f l y n n ’ s w o r k (r) - denotes renovation The Golf Course Master Plan Project Objective:
he Golf Course Master Plan provides a comprehensive vision for the future of the United States Naval Academy Golf Club. It addresses every need of Tthe Members and Midshipmen. It respects and enhances the original William Flynn design, while making it fit the modern game of golf. The proposed improvements balance all elements of maintenance, playability, strategy, and aesthetics. It creates Challenge for the best players, Variety for the average golfer, and Enjoyment for the high handicap / beginner.
Project Outline: As a comprehensive document the Golf Course Master Plan examines all elements of the US Naval Academy Golf Course and its surrounding setting. The following tasks have provided the basis for this project:
Study all greens to define their original shape and record their original contours recommends the reconstruction of all greens to USGA Specifications - restoring putting surfaces where feasible
Study tee location, size, style, and setup flexibility recommends a complete rebuild of all tees - relocating, leveling, realigning, and expanding
Examine bunker location, size, strategy, and style recommends a complete renovation - create a Flynn-inspired Bunker Style that provides a revitalized identity
Adjust fairway grassing lines to improve hole presentation, playability, and strategy recommends regrassing all fairway turf to a new generation bermudagrass
Suggest modifications to cart paths to improve all weather access & maintenance while reducing their impact recommends adjustments as needed to provide improved circulation, safety, and aesthetics
Create a tree management program recommends implementing a long range tree pruning, removal, and planting strategy
Address drainage issues throughout the golf course recommends the installation of both large size pipe systems and sand channel drainage to provide improved playability and maintenance
The 2013 Golf Course Master Plan for: The United States Naval Academy Golf Club
The Putting Surface... main focus of the Golf Course Master Plan is the reconstruction of all the putting greens. The original greens have served the golf course well for over 60 A years, but are in the need of renovation. The existing turf needs to be replaced to provide improved conditions throughout the year. The soil profile limits drainage and gas exchange, further stressing the turf. Every green has lost putting space over time through mowing and other maintenance practices. There are a handful of greens that need to have slopes adjusted to allow for adequate hole locations. There are also three holes that are not fully part of the original design and could be improved to provide a better quality of golf. These issues will all be addressed by rebuilding the greens to meet the modern USGA specifications.
The Turfgrass
Existing Bent/Poa The Greens at USNA were originally grassed with creeping bentgrass in the mid-1940’s. Turfgrass research was already Putting Surfaces at USNA well underway at this time and the greens were likely grassed with the most successful variety of the time. Of course, the demands of today’s putting surfaces are exponentially different from those in the 40’s and the old generation turf is limited in its current environment. As the greens at USNA have grown over the years, they have become infested with an aggressive weed species - Poa annua—annual bluegrass. Even though Poa, as it is often referred to, is managed as the putting green grass of choice in areas of the northeast and along the pacific coast, it is not well-suited for the extreme summer stress period of the Mid-Atlantic and is considered a noxious weed.
A new generation bentgrass is the preferred putting surface for the restored USNA. It is a cool season perennial that still A Pure Stand of requires the proper amount of sunlight, air circulation, moisture, fertilization and pest management to thrive, but was New Generation Bentgrass developed to meet the expectations of today’s golfer and is vastly more tolerable of stress throughout the year.
The physical nature of the greens
A majority of the greens on the golf course are over sixty years old, with a number of them actually being in use since 1928. The soil on which the greens were founded is relatively heavy in nature and therefore has a very slow drainage percolation rate. This was not a great concern at the time of construction since elaborate irrigation systems were not in use and water retention helped keep the grass alive during high stress periods. However, over the years, requests for increased putting speeds and a purer roll have greatly increased the amount of stress on the turfgrass. Wet soils now dramatically current limitations potential support increase disease pressure and limit turf quality more than any other factor. of the green profile system of a USGA Green
10 Finding lost space
Almost every green at the USNA Golf Course has changed shape over the years. The advent of the riding triplex mower is to blame for many of the changes. This three reel mower has a typical cutting width of 60” compared to the more modest walk behind units that average 22”. Because of its size, a triplex mower has a larger functional/comfortable turning radius. Over an extended period of use, this mower tends to round out most green shapes. Depending on the day to day operator the use of this mower can easily over-mow the greens out into the collar or under-mow allowing the green edges to slowly migrate in.
The existing green slopes The original putting surfaces at USNA Golf Course were designed when mowing heights were much higher and green speeds much slower than today. Therefore, golf architects could utilize more severe green contours to create interest and provide adequate surface drainage without danger of creating an unusable green surface. Like most golf courses from the Pre-1950’s, the USNA Golf Course has a number of greens that are severely pitched in this manner. While none of the greens are totally unusable today, a number of exciting hole locations have been taken out of play because of the extreme slopes. .
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Existing Green Perimeter fi t
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Original Green Perimeter s ’
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Slope Analysis b e t The computer assessment of the existing grades give ar p a visual analysis of the putting green slopes he
. T t will color coded scale on the lower right assigns a no color to each percent grade. The USGA recommends are cupping area to fall between 1% (blue) and 3.5% s s urface (green). notice the extreme grades (yellow-red) along the front left portion of the green. This area reen s G is technically unplayable when green speeds are fast. p u tt ing
hree this survey data has been recorded for all greens* T he s e T 11 The Teeing Ground... s part of the comprehensive Golf Course Master Plan, all the tees on the golf course have been evaluated. The goal is to provide tee renovations that increase Acourse setup flexibility, maximize efficient tee area, add length, and introduce an additional forward tee system. Tee Size
Tee placement and tee size are critical to the proper setup of a golf course. If the tee that handles 70% of the daily play only makes up 10% of the tee area on a golf hole there can be a substantial amount of tee wear. Tee size should therefore correspond to the amount of play each tee receives. A number of holes at the USNA have poorly distributed tee area based on today’s play. The Master Plan creates locations for additional tee space at critical distances. The overall amount of tee area per hole will vary but should respond to the length of each hole. Par 3’s, short 4’s, and tight driving holes will have more tee area than a long par 4 or 5 where most players will not be taking a divot. Efficient Tee Space
Efficient tee space is as important as tee size. William Flynn tended to design “formal” tees that were usually shaped like some kind of rectangle. Whether they were slightly rounded (similar to the ones at the USNA) or aligned as perfect boxes they inherently maximized usable tee space. The turf on these uniform shapes were almost totally usable since there were no awkward shapes or edges where a tee shot could not be played. All tee changes on the Master Plan will utilize the existing style of the USNA. Course Setup Flexibility William flynn was one of the first architects to incorporate multiple tees for all levels of play. He wrote When locating additional tee area, every effort should be made to find it along the line of play. This this 1927 USGA Green Section Record articles: practice results in a greater range of setup circumstances for each set of tee markers. The range of possibilities allow the day to day conditions or tournament committee to determine the exact arrangement of the course length. If all the tee space was from right to left there would be little opportunity to fit the golf course to the day’s play.
Green Tee System
The Naval Academy Golf Course currently supports a second forward tee system, the Ladies 9– Hole Tees. This tee set has a separate distinction on the scorecard but share the Red teeing ground and yardage on most holes. The Master Plan has therefore developed a completely new set of Green Tees for these players. The Green Tees will replace the 9-Hole Ladies Tees thereby removing any stereotype for these markers, allowing beginners and juniors to also have an opportunity to play from the most forward tees. In order to accommodate the new tee markers some traditional Red
12 Tees will be expanded to handle the Green markers. On many holes, however, a new forward tee will be placed to handle the Green makers. Since a number of holes have extreme terrain between the main tees and the fairway, a few Green Tees will need to be graded into a flat area of fairway. These tees will be built to the same high standards of all the other tees. They will allow the shorter player to have immediate access to the fairway and will reduce the visual impact of the new tee surface on the classic USNA layout.
The guidelines established for Tee It Forward program provide “The Elusive Pill” and the Midshipmen Golf Team a wonderful design tool to evaluate the each skill levels enjoyment of the renovated US Naval Academy Golf Club William Flynn was one of the first golf architects to address the advances in technology during the early 1900’s. He realized that as new equipment was developed golf holes were becoming obsolete.
More from his article in the August 1927 Green Section Record: “Again the question of the ball has a great bearing on what type a certain length hole will be. Time was, and not so many years ago, when a hole 400 yards long on average ground was a good two-shothole for the star players; now, the same hole is perhaps a drive and spade for the better class golfers.
In view of this the architect of today plans his full two-shot holes from 440 to 500 yards, depending on the character of the land and if the distance to be obtained with the ball continues to increase it will be necessary to increase the length of all holes on golf courses accordingly if the same standards of play are to be maintained.
“All architects will be a lot more comfortable when the powers that be in golf finally solve the ball problem. Blue: 7,003 yards A great deal of experimentation is now going on and it is to be hoped that before long a solution will be Centerlines: 300 yards found to control the distance of the elusive pill. White: 6,193 yards Centerlines: 250 yards If, as in the past, the distance to be gotten with the ball continues to increase, it will be necessary to go to 7,500 and even 8,000 yard courses and more yards mean more acres to buy, more course to construct, more Gold: 5,756 yards Centerlines: 225 yards fairway to maintain and more money for the golfer to fork out.”
The Master Plan calls for Five Regular Red: 5,195 yards Since golf equipment continues to advance today the Golf Course Master Plan introduces ways Centerlines: 200 yards Tees and one set of Junior Tees. While the to incorporate new rear tees and add length to the course. As the host of a Division I NCAA yardages are assigned for the purposes of Green: 4,478 yards Golf Tournament, special attention was made to maximize the golf course length. Some new this document the golf course will be able Centerlines: 175 yards tees will require substantial work while others have been just been stretched to add distance. , to be setup at almost any yardage between Junior: 2,138 yards 7,003 and 4,478 yards on a daily basis.
13 The Bunkers...
he United States Naval Academy Golf Course was designed to incorporate a number of well placed bunkers. William Flynn, as discussed previously, was a Tmaster at developing strategy across the golf course. He felt that accuracy was the most important golf skill to perfect and wanted the golfer who played along the best line to have an advantage on their next shot. He often used bunkers in combination with green position to develop these preferred routes to the day’s hole location. Since the bunker locations have changed very little since 1945, almost every par 4 and par 5 on the Naval Academy Golf Course has a preferred line of play. Missing Bunkers The Golf Course Master Plan re-establishes Flynn’s design philosophy by restoring as many of the original bunkers as feasible. Remnants of many lost bunkers can be seen in the current landscape. Any major drainage or agronomic issues that caused the previous removal of these bunkers will be addressed Bunkers that were placed far from the putting surface will be joined with the green surround to eliminate playability issues - with special regard to the higher handicap player. Fairway bunker locations will be adjusted to fit the modern game and landing areas.
Original Flynn Plan Master Plan 1947
Flynn had planned to install a number of additional bunkers on many of the original Greenbury Point holes. For some reason they were not part of the construction project. The Master Plan draws its inspiration from the original Flynn Plan but must consider changes in technology and the playability requirements of the variety of golfers who enjoy the course. 14 Bunker Style William Flynn was never known for a particular style of bunkers like some of his successors who seemed to boiler plate a style from course to course. However, Flynn generally wanted to have his sand filled hazards visible from the line of play. It was not too long ago that the bunkers at the USNA were in total disrepair. In order to mend the most dramatic features on the course a renovation program was initiated. The bunker floors were flattened and grass was brought down the faces so that there was less chance for sand to wash during storm events. Zoysia grass sod was placed around the bunker slopes because of its slow growing habit, dense foliage, and heat tolerance. The resulting bunkers were very manageable and playable. The downside of the changes however were the small sand areas that produced difficult lies between the sod and sand, reduced sand visibility and the reduction in the dramatic nature of the golf holes. With a renewed commitment to the golf course and its heritage the Golf Course Master Plan sets forth a program to restore some of Flynn’s original bunker style. The main focus of these suggestions involve lowering the bunker foregrounds to see into the sand, raising sand lines for better visibility, and increasing sand area in critical locations to better frame the golf holes.
The Existing 9th Green is Surround by sand but only a fraction of it is visible to the player
Cascades Course at the Homestead Shinnecock Hills GC Whitemarsh Valley CC
Flynn did not have a definitive style of bunkering but most of his best known work incorporated highly flashed sand. Developing this style bunker at uSNA will provide a character and charm to already stunning landscape. Huntingdon Valley CC Merion Golf Club - East Course
15 The Fairway…
he Naval Academy Golf Course fairways were expertly laid upon the land by William Flynn in 1944. He utilized unique topographic features and well placed Thazards to steer his graceful grassing lines. Flynn believed in adequate fairway width that allowed the golf course to be playable for all skill levels. This design philosophy was not intended to make the hole easy but was used to force a player to pick a location within the fairway that would give them the preferred angle into the green.
As evident by a number of aerial photos the fairway lines have changed from year to year. The Golf Course Master Plan makes suggestions to reincorporate much of the original Flynn fairway width. The goal will be to establish this extra fairway in the key landing areas while not expanding “unused” spots that would waste maintenance resources without improving playability.
1947 Master Plan Current
Fairway width increases the strategy of any golf hole - even short ones. Making the golfer pick their line of play to a wide target challenges the better player and gives the high handicap golfer a larger margin for error. The Golf Course Master Plan calls for the complete re-grassing of the fairways. Currently, the USNA utilizes a bermudagrass and ryegrass system where the bermuda dominates during the summer months and the ryegrass covers the fairways through the winter. The two grass system in place at the USNA works well for the property and is recommended to remain.
While this system is functional, the playing surfaces lack a refined quality in the summer time. The Master Plan calls for the introduction of a new hybrid bermudagrass that provide outstanding playing Latitude 36 Bermudagrass provides the playability and conditions and will benefit the golfer and maintenance staff. texture of bentgrass with the versatility of bermuda
16 The Drainage...
he United States Naval Academy Golf Course rests on a dramatic and beautiful parcel of land. The natural highs and lows provide an outstanding golf Texperience but also lead to a number of specific drainage issues. Many of the problem areas involve concentrated surface drainage that carry water from on and off the golf course across critical areas of play. Other important drainage concerns occur along the long somewhat flat approaches that Flynn used to enhance the game.
While Flynn completed a dramatic redesign of the original Greenbury Point golf course, the technology at the time did not allow for complex drainage installation. The Golf Course Master Plan creates a set of parameters to address these wet areas with the best practices available while keeping the classic design of the golf course intact.
All surface drainage issues involving large volumes of storm water will be collected in standard yard inlets. These inlets have been placed whenever possible outside the normal line of play. By situating the inlets above key landing areas water will be collected before it causes a playability problem.
Drainage issues on the traditional flat approaches of holes #3, 4, 6, 9, and 18 will be solved by a variety of design strategies. The Master Plan first suggests to modify the grading in these highly played areas to increase the surface drainage. Once positive drainage is accomplished over the turf, subsurface drainage systems can be applied to amplify the removal of water. All changes in the grading can be accomplished without drastic changes in the quality of golf.
Standard Yard Inlet Sand Channel Drainage
Using many different drainage strategies will provide the best overall results to storm recovery. Larger pipes and inlets will collect water from the surface before it crosses the line of play keeping the classic feel of the layout. Subsurface sand channel drains will firm critical playing surfaces that otherwise would have to be significantly altered.
17 The opening hole at uSNA will get the attention of the longest players at 446 yards. The landing area will be treated with sand channel drains to provide firmer and faster conditions. The current greenside bunker is too far from the putting surface. It will be brought closer, to lock into the green. The green will be rebuilt with slightly modified slopes and expanded/restored “corners” that will generate a number of new and exciting hole locations.
#1
18 To make room for a potential short game practice area and to create the most intriguing short par 4, the Second will shift slightly right. A wide fairway that is “pinched” by a large bunker when paired with a restored green will create a preferred line of play along the left side.
#2
19 The Third is a beautiful downhill par 5. Maximizing its length and improving the forward tee options will increase its setup elasticity. Restoring the bunkers and locking the fairway into them will generate more strategic lines of play. The reclaimed green area on the front left and rear of the green will create a number of “new” and exciting hole locations.
#3
20 Adjusting the tees on #4 will increase the strategic nature of this par 3. leaving the more forward tee to the left opens the putting surface for those players. Adding the missing green area along the left side and widening the approach will balance the effectiveness of the new tee angle. #4
21 Extending the rear tee back closer to the water will create a dramatic uphill par 4 for the best players. Situating the forward tees on the green side of the old service road will make the hole more receptive. A new fairway bunker that was inspired from Flynn’s original plan will create a preferred line of play along the left side of the fairway. Shifting the original bunkering at the green towards the putting surface and reclaiming the green corners will showcase this elevated target.
#5
22 The downhill 6th has all the components of a challenging short par 4. heavily bunkering the long landing zone and restoring the small green will make club selection important off the tee to setup a chance at an accurate wedge shot. The approach will be graded and sand channel drainage installed to firm the playing surfaces in this critical area. #6
23 The shortest par 3 on the course has a dramatic setting. Expansive tee space will allow the hole to be played from 90 yards to a maximum of 198 yards. only the best players will be able to handle the demands of this hole at its longest. The green will be restored will additional cupping area in the corners and along the rear “deck.” The bulkheads around the pond will be replaced. #7
24 The eighth is on of the most challenging on the golf course. In order to have more functional space for a Short Game Area, the tees have been shifted left. This creates much improved traffic flow from #7 and allows the fairway to rest on the natural “Hog’s Back”. The bunkering at the green will be tucked into the putting surface and approach. The preferred line is most definitely from the left side. Additional green area along the rear of the green will add a few nice hole locations. #8
25 The second half of back to back long par 4’s is dominated by the road down the left side. A new rear tee will make the better player once again hit a long iron in this low green. Addition of sand channel drainage will firm the approach and allow for run up shots. The bunkers will be tucked slightly into the fairway and flashed so that the sand is clearly visible and provide a dramatic entrance to the target. #9
26 The wonderful 10th is one of only a few holes where a golfer can get an appreciation for the adjacent bay and creeks. Thinning and pruning trees along the right side will improve these vistas. Widening the fairway will maximize the use of the natural point on which the hole rests. The greenside bunkers will shift to the putting surface and help identify the preferred line along the inside of the dogleg. #10
27 The eleventh takes advantage of the natural flow of the topography with a slight bend to the left. The installation of a fairway bunker shown on flynn’s plan will generate some interest and protect the inside of the dogleg. New tee distribution will provide a variety of options. Excavating the left side of the green surround and eliminating the bunker will create a well perched putting surface that extends out of the hill top.
#11
28 The original hole that played in the corridor now utilized by #12 played to near the existing 14th green. The changes made to add the current 13th and 14th holes required this hole to become shorter. Since it is not original, there is an opportunity to add variety with a long par 3. The hole would setup as a Redan Par 3, such as Flynn’s amazing 7th at Shinnecock Hills. it will play downhill - reducing the “playable” distance. The approach and target will be wide and balls that land short will jump toward the back right and feed onto the green. #12
29 The existing 13th is not an original hole. It does however, rest on a great piece of ground which would allow it to be transformed into a wonderful par 5 that mimics the original double dogleg which was once played as #4 (seen below). The tees will rest on the other side of the ravine from the current fairway forming the first dogleg. The second landing area will be well defended by bunkering and the approach will swing in to the green to create the 2nd Dogleg. This hole will provide tremendous strategy and variety to the layout.
The Original Double Dogleg 4th
#13
30 The 14th was built in 1955 to replace one of the holes south of Greenbury Point Road. It’s length was limited by its topography and tight property boundaries. The resulting short par 5 is characterized by a rolling fairway and the largest green on the course with three guarding bunkers. These features by themselves create a limited amount of strategy, since the big target can be reached in two by most long hitters without risk. The Master Plan proposes to turn the green to a typical Flynn-like angle and heavily bunker the front slope. This realignment of the green complex with an extended fairway will replicate Flynn’s strategy on the 15th at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club. Even though that hole is a short par 4 the short par 5, 14th at the USNA would receive similar length shots.
The Current 14th hole in 1977
#14
31 Standing on the tee one might consider the 15th fairly simple, but it demands a good tee shot, a solid approach, and nerves of steel on the green. A new rear tee will provide a more demanding angle. a new middle tee will be large enough to hold multiple tee markers. The two restored fairway bunkers will shift toward the green to best protect the modern landing area. The greenside bunkers will be renovated to see more sand and tuck closer to the green. The putting surface will be tilted using detailed survey data. The result will be a green that has all the character of the original but it will be able to handle modern putting speeds and provide adequate hole locations. #15
32 The 16th is another short par 4 where width can add interest and challenge. The current fairway rests just left of a natural ridge. By wrapping fairway on either side of this feature the golfer will have to decide to lay back or hit into the Throat. If a ball rests too far the left it will feed to the low and leave a shot over the bunkers guarding the front left. if a shot lands too far right it will roll to a possible blind position. Tee shots that are well placed will be rewarded with the preferred line of play #16
33 The 17th may be one of the greatest par 3’s in Maryland. It is simple but so intriguing. As an island green without water, one must be keenly accurate off the tee to avoid trouble. A new rear tee will make the best players consider club selection even more. Adjusting the green surround at the rear of the green will allow the stairs to be eliminated while leaving all of the original character of the target alone.
#17
34 The home hole - a long demanding par 4 with a unique ridge-line fairway. Flynn’s original plan called for multiple fairway bunkers but one on the road side will be most visible and direct play away from trouble. if a golfer is able to negotiate the sand and not end up in the trees left they will be rewarded will a nice angle into the green. The putting surface will be expanded back to its original extents and the center will be lifted and stabilized to eliminate the slow settling that has occurred over the years. #18
35 Practice Grounds... olf is increasingly becoming a game of practice. The demands of modern life make it more challenging to spend four to six hours playing a round of golf. In Gorder to best serve the Members and Midshipmen a number of practice areas have been incorporated into the Master Plan. The goal of this was to exhaust the potential options, show how they would each fit into the fabric of the golf course, and create opportunities for one or more areas to be implemented.
The Driving Range The United States Naval Academy is blessed to have so much area for a large game practice field. The driving range must support not only the Members, but also the Midshipmen Golf Teams, Classes, and Students. Improvements to the target greens will provide improved feedback and realistic practice for all groups. Resurfacing of the practice tee could also improve the quality of the grass surface throughout the golf season.
Realistic Targets Create Positive Practice
Transforming the open field at US Naval Academy into an ultimate practice area will benefit all golfers that use the facility.
36 Creating a Golf Team Practice Tee and Putting Green Excess soil from recent projects around the Brigade Sports Complex has provided an opportunity for a rear driving range tee. While this tee does not allow for safe use of drivers and fairway woods, it does create a fantastic opportunity to hone iron shots. The new targets in the range will allow for receptive shots from both directions. An additional wedge target that snakes its way from 30 to 100 yards can be accessed from any point on this new Team tee. The improvements to this section of the practice ground will give the Midshipmen one more opportunity to practice as a group.
A new putting green located outside of the Midshipmen Golf Team Room at the Brigade Sports Complex will be a dedicated area for the Golf Teams to practice putting without disruption from any other USNA golfers. It will fit nicely within the fabric of the facility and be ultimately convenient.
Installation of a Team Building and Covered Hitting Stations
The Midshipmen Golf Teams would greatly benefit from a covered hitting building. This structure does not have to be overly complicated but should provide for good all weather practice and give them the ability to learn from some of the best digital golf instruction aids available. The schematic design provided in the Master Plan calls for four hitting bays that would be heated and situated to best allow for all length shots during the winter months.
37 Short Game Practice
There is no more critical practice than that within 100 yards of the green. Scoring is dominated by the ability to get up and down from a variety of postions and lies. Both the Golf Teams and the Members will benefit from the introduction of one or more Short Game Practice Areas. Designing these practice areas to replicate the conditions on the golf course will provide the most realistic practice available.
As part of the Master Plan, four different sites have been located and designed for Short Game Practice. Each area has its own benefits and drawbacks. Key evaluation points on each area are as follows: The Closest Option and Best for Golfers Distance from the Pro Shop - there is limited space close to the existing golf operation (SGA 1) for a large practice area. The incorporation of a new putting green and two chipping greens between the new 8th Tee and 9th Green is the only option within legitimate walking distance of the Brigade Sports Complex. It also creates the only functional option for golfers who are playing the course to warm up prior to their round.
Size of the Facility - Of the four options, the one to the right of #12 and #13 has the most potential to provide an endless opportunity to practice. It has four pitch greens and a large putting surface making it the ultimate Golf Team Practice Center. Not only could both teams practice safely at one time, there is also an opportunity to play the area as a short course with infinte golf holes left to the imagination of the player.
Multiple Greens in one area spread out play and offer greater variety to practice
The Ultimate Golf Team Practice Area (SGA 3) Wilmington CC - Wilmington, DE
38 Balance - Short Game Areas are most successful when they maximize hitting area and the variety of shots that can be recreated. The area left of #2 provides the best balance between available shots and the overall size of the facility. It would allow for every shot inside 100 yards to be replicated, provide safe space for multiple golfers at one time, and fit seamlessly within the layout.
Designing the SGA to Replicate on Course Conditions is Crucial to Good Practice
The Most Balanced Opportunity (SGA 2) Glen Oaks Club, Long Island, NY
Privacy - A square parcel behind the Brigade Sports Complex offers a private setting for Golf Team A Private Option practice that is convenient to the other facilities. By fencing this area and buffering with plant material (SGA 4) this Short Game Area would allow for dedicated practice by the Midshipmen in a location that may maximize their available time. It would provide a variety of shots and safe usage by multiple players.
Shots of Different Distances from One Location are Available in a Multi-Target Short Game Area
Chartwell Golf and CC, Severna Park, MD
39 Cost Projection of Golf Course Improvements The United States Naval Academy Golf Course 64 Greenbury Point Road Annapolis, Maryland 21402
Implementation of the Vision Complete Reconstruction of the Golf Course (does not include Practice Areas) he completion of the Master Plan for the United States Naval Academy Golf Course will create a special place for the Navy, the Academy, the Alumni, and Task Estimated Costs the Members of the Golf Club. Annapolis has deep historic roots and the revitalization of this classic gem is only fitting. By balancing the strategy and design T Mobilization $ 25,000.00 of William Flynn with the modern game of golf, all the needs of the golfers will be addressed for the coming decades. Site Preparation $ 110,000.00 rototill or strip existing sod over 34 acres To implement the project, it will take substantial resources and time. There are many different ways to tackle the job. The work can be accomplished in any layout of all golf features array of phases spread of multiple years. The best way to provide the ultimate product, with the least disturbance, is to do the entire project at one time. This tree clearing would require the course to close beginning just after the July 4th Holiday. Once the construction is complete and sufficient grass is growing there will be Erosion Control $ 100,000.00 an opportunity to open with temporary greens beginning in mid-Fall. The grand opening of the golf course should be possible in late April or early May the 25,000 lf of silt fence, tree protection, etc following year. This will, of course, depend on the weather during the grow-in. Excavation and Earthwork $ 185,000.00 14,000 cy of topsoil management A step that would improve the time line could be the up-front installation of irrigation. This is a fairly painless process during the winter months and only requires 20,000 cy of earth moving (includes existing green mix) brief closures of individual holes (if any at all.) Improvements to the driving range and short game areas could also provide golfers with improved practice Greens Construction $ 655,000.00 grounds while the golf course is closed. 18 greens totaling 104,000 sf of putting surface 16,000 lf of drainage pipe 8,700 tons of gravel and sand Regardless, this project will be a great success for the United States Naval Academy and all of its partners! Bunker Construction $ 350,000.00 57 bunkers totaling 63,100 sf United States Naval Academy Golf Club 12,000 lf of drainage 40,000 sf of bunker liner Estimated Master Plan Construction Schedule -utilized calander year 2014 and 2015 for perspective - no construction dates have been set 1,700 tons of bunker sand 2014 2015 Tee Construction $ 125,000.00 76 new tees totaling 96,000 sf utilize existing greens mix for tee tops Drainage Installation $ 220,000.00 20,100 lf of sand channel drainage 10,000 lf of large scale drainage 52 yard inlets January January February March April May June Week of June30 Week of 7 July Week of 14July Week of 21July Week of 28July Week of August 4 Week of August 11 Week of 28July Week of August 4 Week of August 11 Week of August 18 Week of August 25 Week of 1 September Week of 8 September Week of 15September Week of 22September Week of 29September October November December January February March April May June Golf Course Closed Cart Path Installation $ 425,000.00 Golf Course Open on Temp Greens 12,100 lf of cart path Irrigation Installation Retaining Wall / Bulkhead $ 140,000.00 Sprig Fairways 660 lf of bulkhead replacement and installation Mobilization Greens Construction Irrigation $ 1,600,000.00 Bunker Construction All new heads, pipe, wire, and controllers Tee Construction Drainage Installation Grassing $ 575,000.00 Grassing 104,000 sf of greens Clean Up and Demobilize 276,000 sf of bermuda sod 720,000 sf of tall fescue sod 30 acres of bermuda sprigs on fairways 40 120,000 sf of native fescue area Design and Engineering Fees $ 110,000.00 worked need to bid, permit, and build project
7/12/20133:08 PM Cost Projection of Golf Course Improvements The United States Naval Academy Golf Course 64 Greenbury Point Road Annapolis, Maryland 21402
Complete Reconstruction of the Golf Course (does not include Practice Areas)
Task Estimated Costs Mobilization $ 25,000.00 Site Preparation $ 110,000.00 rototill or strip existing sod over 34 acres layout of all golf features tree clearing Erosion Control $ 100,000.00 25,000 lf of silt fence, tree protection, etc Excavation and Earthwork $ 185,000.00 14,000 cy of topsoil management 20,000 cy of earth moving (includes existing green mix) Cost Projection of Golf Course Improvements Cost Projection of Golf Course Improvements Greens Construction $ 655,000.00 18 greens totaling 104,000 sf of putting surface The United States Naval Academy Golf Course The United16,000 lf ofStates drainage pipe Naval Academy Golf Course 64 Greenbury Point Road 64 Greenbury8,700 tons Point of gravel Road and sand Annapolis, Maryland 21402 Annapolis, Maryland 21402 Bunker Construction $ 350,000.00 57 bunkers totaling 63,100 sf Complete Reconstruction ofE thes timatedGolf Course (does C onots tinclude of CPracticeons Areas)truction for the GCompleteolf C Reconstructionourse M of athes terGolf Course Pla (doesn not include Practice Areas) does not include practice area improvements12,000 - lfsee of drainagebelow 40,000 sf of bunker liner Task Estimated Costs Task1,700 tons of bunker sand Estimated Costs Tee Construction $ 125,000.00 Mobilization $ 25,000.00 Mobilization $ 25,000.00 76 new tees totaling 96,000 sf Site Preparation $ 110,000.00 Siteutilize Preparation existing greens mix for tee tops $ 110,000.00 rototill or strip existing sod over 34 acres rototill or strip existing sod over 34 acres Drainage Installation $ 220,000.00 layout of all golf features layout of all golf features 20,100 lf of sand channel drainage tree clearing tree clearing 10,000 lf of large scale drainage Erosion Control $ 100,000.00 Erosion52 yard Control inlets $ 100,000.00 25,000 lf of silt fence, tree protection, etc 25,000 lf of silt fence, tree protection, etc Cart Path Installation $ 425,000.00 Excavation and Earthwork $ 185,000.00 Excavation12,100 lf ofand cart Earthwork path $ 185,000.00 14,000 cy of topsoil management 14,000 cy of topsoil management Retaining Wall / Bulkhead $ 140,000.00 20,000 cy of earth moving (includes existing green mix) 20,000660 lf of cy bulkhead of earth replacementmoving (includes and installationexisting green mix) Greens Construction $ 655,000.00 GreensIrrigation Construction $ 1,600,000.00 655,000.00 18 greens totaling 104,000 sf of putting surface 18All greensnew heads, totaling pipe, 104,000 wire, and sf ofcontrollers putting surface 16,000 lf of drainage pipe 16,000 lf of drainage pipe 8,700 tons of gravel and sand Grassing8,700 tons of gravel and sand $ 575,000.00 104,000 sf of greens Bunker Construction $ 350,000.00 Bunker276,000 Construction sf of bermuda sod $ 350,000.00 57 bunkers totaling 63,100 sf 57720,000 bunkers sf totaling of tall fescue 63,100 sod sf 12,000 lf of drainage 12,00030 acres lfof of bermuda drainage sprigs on fairways 40,000 sf of bunker liner 40,000120,000 sf sfof of bunker native liner fescue area 1,700 tons of bunker sand 1,700 tons of bunker sand Design and Engineering Fees $ 110,000.00 Tee Construction $ 125,000.00 Teeworked Construction need to bid, permit, and build project $ 125,000.00 76 new tees totaling 96,000 sf 76 new tees totaling 96,000 sf utilize existing greens mix for tee tops Total Estimated Cost of Implementing the Golf Coutilizeur existingse M greensaster mix forP teela topsn: $4,620,000.00 Drainage Installation $ 220,000.00 Drainage Installation $ 220,000.00 7/12/20133:08 PM 20,100 lf of sand channel drainage 20,100 lf of sand channel drainage 10,000 lf of large scale drainage 10,000 lf of large scale drainage 52 yard inlets 52 yard inlets Cart Path Installation $ 425,000.00 Cart Path Installation $ 425,000.00 12,100 lf of cart path 12,100 lf of cart path Retaining Wall / Bulkhead $ 140,000.00 Retaining Wall / Bulkhead $ 140,000.00 660 lf of bulkhead replacement and installation 660 lf of bulkhead replacement and installation Irrigation $ 1,600,000.00 Irrigation $ 1,600,000.00 All new heads, pipe, wire, and controllers All new heads, pipe, wire, and controllers GrassingBrigade Sports Complex Betwee$ n #2 a n d #3 575,000.00 Right of #12 and #13Grassing Greenbury Point Hitti$ng B u ildi ng 575,000.00 : $250,000.00 104,000 sf of greens (SGA 1) (SGA 2) (SGA 3) 104,000 sf of greens (SGA 4) Target Greens: $60,000.00 276,000 sf of bermuda$275,000.00 sod $235,00.00 $580,000.00 276,000 sf of bermuda$320,000.00 sod Rear Golf Team Tee: $80,000.00 720,000 sf of tall fescue sod 720,000 sf of tall fescue sod Team Putting Green $75,000.00 h o r t a m e r a c t i c e r e a p t i o n s 30 acres of bermuda sprigs on fairways S G P A O 30 acres of bermuda sprigs on fairways 120,000 sf of native fescue area 120,000 sf of native fescue area 41 Design and Engineering Fees $ 110,000.00 Design and Engineering Fees $ 110,000.00 worked need to bid, permit, and build project worked need to bid, permit, and build project
7/12/20133:08 PM 7/12/20133:08 PM Prepared by: Andrew H. Green McDonald Design Group