DevelopmentOF THE FIRST PLACE Dumbarnie Links Scotland

Owner: DGL Investors LLC This year’s competition brings honors to 6 courses Developer: DGL Investors LLC 2021 Architect: Clive Clark Design in 5 countries — from Scotland to Thailand. Year Contractor: Landscapes Unlimited BY JANELLE McPHERSON Construction Cost: $7 million Clubhouse What the judges said Judge Jason Sloan: “A unique project he original vision of the developer that ticks all the boxes in terms of the Twas to create a stand-alone world- About the Judges golf experience, starting with a beauti- class daily-fee links course on the Scottish ful routing of golf holes that provides coastline while simultaneously showcasing Mike Nuzzo designed Wolf Point multiple options from the tee through sustainable and environmentally friendly Ranch, which was recently ranked the created dunescape.” development. Dumbarnie Links opened in No. 1 in Texas by Golf Magazine. May 2020 to much fanfare from local play- He collaborated with Tom Doak on Judge Mike Nuzzo: “By far the best ers and the media. the redesign of Memorial Park for routing of the entrants. The course zigzags through what looks almost like Architect Clive Clark’s vision differed the 2020 Houston Open. His new- linksland, expertly creating variety and from the traditional out-and-back style of est course, Nine + Three Grand, interest throughout the round.” the old Scottish links. Every hole provides will open in Houston later this year. a stunning view of the water, achieving the Jason Sloan Judge Casey Paulson: “Beautiful architect’s original bold vision. has been involved in seaside golf links with great shaping and “The course is certainly a thinking golf course construction since 2008 routing. Looks like this will be another man’s course and is fair and playable for as part of the leadership team of wonderful course for golf vacationers.” players of all levels,” Clark said. Frontier Golf, handling all phases Many holes offer risk-and-reward play, of course renovation projects. giving golfers the opportunity to gamble He holds a degree in landscape and be creative. architecture from Penn State and a Dumbarnie Links, “Among these, there are three poten- degree in golf course architecture Scotland, Hole 2 tially drivable par-4s where the heroic from Edinburgh College of Art in line involves cutting corners and risking Scotland. entrapment in gnarly bunkers,” Clark said. St Andrews is to golf what a diamond is Estate owned by Lord Anthony Balniel. this years’ second place, third place and Mountains create a backdrop for the “The creative routing, where every hole Casey Paulson is president of to a wedding ring, but just 10 miles away, Clark’s goal was to create a high-end three honorable mentions also showcase 18-hole course. is unique, meanders through the rugged sales and operations at Driftwood another course in Scotland is showing links course that looked as if it had been just that. All three honorable-mentions win- dune land, allowing the golfer to feel like Golf and Ranch Club, a Discovery some major sparkle. there for more than a century, yet with a Davis Love’s Birdwood Golf Course ners are outside the U.S. They are: Rancho he is alone on each hole and unaware of Land Co. development outside Judges selected Dumbarnie Links as modern twist. at Boar’s Head Resort in Charlottesville, San Lucas Golf Club in Cabo San Lucas, other golfers on the course.” Austin, Texas. Prior to joining the winner of the 2021 Development of “This vision aspired to simultaneously Va., placed second. In addition to a new Mexico; PGA National Czech Republic The total distance of the golf course Driftwood, Casey was the project Sthe Year competition for its world-class showcase sustainable and environmentally 18-hole course, it has a new practice range, in Popovičky, Czechia; and Siam Country varies between 5,300 to 6,900 yards. The president of Silo Ridge Field Club, design and its focus on environmental friendly development principles, while a performance center and a 32,000-square- Club’s Rolling Hills course in Pattaya, once barren pastureland is now home to a Discovery Land Co. development stewardship and long-term sustainabil- generating employment opportunities and foot putting course. Thailand. wildlife. The developers worked with local in Amenia, N.Y. Casey was also ity. Designed by renowned course archi- tremendous economic benefit to the local Payne’s Valley Golf Course at Big Cedar Judging was based on a combination of environmental regulatory bodies through- president of Bluejack National Golf tect Clive Clark and built by contractor community,” he said. Lodge in Hollister, Mo., took third place. how well the project realized the vision of out the construction process. Club in Montgomery, Texas, an Landscapes Unlimited, the golf course Each year, the Development of the Year It is the first public-access course designed the development team, course aesthetics, Dumbarnie Links is scheduled to host honoree in the 2015 Development is situated along 1 1/2 miles of Scottish competition seeks to identify the best new by Tiger Woods and his design firm, TGR environmental and economic sustainabil- the 2021 Ladies Scottish Open this sum- of the Year competition. coastline on the 5,000-acre Balcarres golf developments around the globe, and Design. Rock outcroppings and the Ozark ity, course routing and land use. mer.

32 Golf Inc. Spring 2021 Spring 2021 www.GolfIncMagazine.com 33 THIRD PLACE Payne’s Valley Golf Course Hollister, Mo.

Owner: Johnny Morris Developer: Johnny Morris Architect: Tiger Woods and TGR Design Contractor: N/A Construction Cost: Undisclosed Hole 3

ayne’s Valley at Big Cedar Lodge in years of construction. Woods and his drop. The walkable course is challenging PHollister, Mo., near Branson, was a design firm, TGR Design, created a cham- yet player friendly and includes a one- collaborative vision of Tiger Woods and pionship caliber, family friendly golf of-a-kind, mile-long finish where golfers Johnny Morris, founder of Bass Pro Shops course that allows individuals of all skill travel through a spring-fed natural cavern and a noted conservationist. They wanted levels to enjoy the game in a beautiful system over bridges alongside 250-foot to create a 19-hole layout that fostered a natural setting. cliffs and through ancient waterfalls before deep connection between the game of golf The course runs alongside dramatically returning to the clubhouse. and nature. exposed rock outcroppings, bold moun- The bonus 19th hole, designed by Named in honor of golf legend tain ridges, sweeping valleys, pristine Morris himself, was built to showcase the Payne Stewart, Payne’s Valley opened in streams and beautiful mature trees, all of beauty of the Ozarks while serving as a September 2020 after more than three which help to create a memorable back- bet-settling hole for players.

Hole 6

SECOND PLACE Owner: University of Virginia Foundation Architects of Birdwood Golf Course Developer: University of Virginia Foundation Architect: Cougar Point Clubhouse Charlottesville, Va. Love Golf Design (Davis Love III, West Beach Village, Kiawah Island, SC Mark Love, Scot Sherman) Contractor: MacCurrach Golf Construction Construction Cost: $13.5 million Clubhouse

irdwood Golf Course at Boar’s Head golf teams, includes a practice range and BResort was worn out and needed to a new six-hole, par-3 course to be used by be renovated. The owner wanted to create the public and resort guests. And the new new, family friendly golf facilities to attract tennis stadium, built on the previous third resort guests and members. This would hole, fits seamlessly with the new routing require a whole new look. and course design. Brought to life by Love Golf Design, the Golf revenues are already reported new 18-hole course, surrounded by the to be 79% above budget projections, and Blue Ridge Mountains, was intentionally there is a long waiting list for membership. routed to capture the views. The plan was The total development encompasses to stick with the natural lay of the land. As about 250 acres. One Park Avenue the site was cleared, areas of native vegeta- New York, New York 10016 tion were uncovered, which helped drive Judge Mike Nuzzo: “The vision for the TEL 212 967 5100 the natural look of the course and out-of- project improved the entire development by www.ramsa.com play areas. better utilizing the land and amenities, all Gary Brewer: [email protected] Birdwood, which is home to the while significantly improving the golf course University of Virginia men’s and women’s and adding family friendly play.”

34 Golf Inc. Spring 2021 Spring 2021 www.GolfIncMagazine.com 35 HONORABLE MENTION HONORABLE MENTION In an effort to create a course that stood deep bunker at the par-5 15th hole. Named out, many elements of modern design the Wall of Death, this hole has become a Rancho San Lucas Rolling Hills were incorporated, from strong and obvi- must-play feature for resort visitors. Golf Club Pattaya, Thailand ous angles of attack, to slightly irregular Curley said the course was designed and transitional bunkering, to speed slots with a “find your ball” philosophy to ensure Cabo San Lucas, Mexico in fairways, to punchbowl and fall-away play without excessive delays or frustra- Owner: Thaworn Country Club & Resort green designs. tion. There is also less water in play than Co. Ltd, Ms. Phornpun Phornprapha There are also some quirks, from a at the majority of courses in the region. Owner: Centro Promociones Los Developer: Thongthaworn Pattana Co. Ltd. drivable par-4 with alternate greens to a But, he adds, the course does offer plenty Cabos San Lucas S.A. de C.V. Architect: Brian Curley massive, triple overhead, double tie wall, of challenge for elite players. Developer: Francisco Bulnes Contractor: GolfEast Co. Ltd. Architect: Greg Norman Construction Cost: $9.8 million Contractor: GSR S.A. de S.V. Construction Cost: $9 million Hole 8 ast but certainly not least deserving of Lhonorable mention is Rolling Hills in nother course along a coastline is the of land on the Pacific Ocean. sandy pits were constructed from recy- Thailand, designed by golf course archi- Aone at Rancho San Lucas Golf Club More than 100 acres of the develop- cled artificial turf and are nearly identical tect Brian Curley. in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Set in roll- ment’s 834 total have been left untouched. to the natural sod-walled bunkers found The course is the fourth to be built at ing desert foothills that slope to 1.2 miles An additional 186 acres are dedicated to on British seaside links courses. Resistant the project site. Sitting at the bottom of the of pristine Pacific Ocean beachfront, the resort’s centerpiece, its signature golf to washouts, these distinctive bunkers are property, it is able to capture runoff from Rancho San Lucas is 30 minutes from course. a first in Mexico. the other three courses. This, along with an international airport and 15 minutes Known for his “least disturbance” a large reservoir system, helps ensure that from downtown Cabo San Lucas. design approach, Greg Norman created the property will have adequate water for Hole 15 This exclusive, gated enclave occupies a low-profile, links-style layout with Judge Casey Paulson: “Visually beautiful, years to come, Curley said. a privileged location that offers a level sweeping ocean views from every hole. quality desert golf provides vivid imagery of serenity rarely found in Los Cabos. Along with its dramatic 300-foot eleva- with the changes in color and texture. Golf Francisco Bulnes said it had always been tion change, the layout is known for its seems to meander through real estate offer- his dream to develop the 834-acre parcel revetted pot bunkers. These steep-walled ings successfully.”

HONORABLE MENTION teau and its surrounding landscape and forest areas,” said golf course architect PGA National Czech Republic Kyle Phillips. “Where there were only Popovicky, Czechia open farm fields, the golf course design has provided hundreds of thousands of square meters of new nature, including bio corridors, native trees and grasses.” Owner: Arendon a.s. Opened in August 2020, the course Developer: Arendon a.s. creates a golf experience that flows seam- Architect: Kyle Phillips lessly through nature. The short-cut turf starts at the first tee and guides you Contractor: Engelmann Czech s.r.o. through the 18 holes and back to the cha- Construction Cost: Undisclosed teau, a feature found on many links golf courses. The course is maintained using contoured mowing patterns, which call he PGA National Czech Republic attention to the natural features of the Tcourse at the Oaks Prague residential land. Gnarly bunker edges create a feel- village has achieved a balance between ing that the course was carved out of the nature and residential development with original landscape. a green community that golfers, residents Meadows and fish ponds contribute and guests can all enjoy. to sustainability and water management, “The opportunity was not only to and 100% of the sand and construction Hole 15 create a world class golf experience but materials were sourced locally, reducing also to revive and restore the old cha- the carbon footprint.

36 Golf Inc. Spring 2021 Spring 2021 www.GolfIncMagazine.com 37