The Pellucid Perspective - March 2016 - (Page 5)

GOLF COURSE DEVELOPMENT Century old course takes futuristic approach to renovation project Innovative project first to receive USGA-ASGCA grant By Jim Dunlap C anal Shores, a landmark community golf course in the Chicago area town of Evanston that traces its roots to 1919, is the first recipient of a joint grant renovation program between the USGA and the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA). The major renovation and redesign project is not only the first cooperative USGA-ASGCA undertaking, but breaks new ground in many other ways related to the needs of not only today's golf industry but also the community which houses it. The current Canal Shores course is an executive length 18hole course with a modest practice facility run by the Evanston Golf Course Association. The course meanders along both sides of the North Shore Channel Canal and through neighboring communities and the famous Chicago area elevated train tracks, with walking paths throughout the layout. With its modest fees, proximity to numerous residential neighborhoods, and declining play rates, the course conditions and maintenance levels had suffered. Still, it was a valued part of the community, warts and all. Canal Shores' fan club included Jason Way, a volunteer member of the facility's grounds committee and in his "day job" an experienced general manager with expertise in brand management for a variety of small companies. When the USGA and ASGCA announced their intention to provide financial and technical support for deserving golf course upgrade or renovation projects, Way and his "co-visionary," Northwestern University Director of Golf Pat Goss, started thinking that perhaps some of the concepts they'd envisioned for the facility might be feasible. What has evolved is a plan to create what is being billed as 41 holes of golf, consisting of a Kids Links 5-hole short course and youth practice facility, a Rolling Green 18-hole putting course, a Back Lot 6-hole par 3 course that doubles as a multi-directional practice facility, and the 12-hole executive length Jans Course, featuring par-3's ranging in length from 80 to 180 yards and par 4's in the 275-315 yard range. The capital campaign to fund the facility recreation is called Canal Shores 100 to commemorate the facility's 100th year anniversary in 2019. That campaign is ongoing, but it has received a number of substantial commitments already. In addition to $25,000 from the USGA and time commitments from project lead architect Dave Zinkand, formerly of the Coore/Crenshaw design firm, consulting architect Drew Rogers and project manager Todd Quitno, the Wadsworth Construction Foundation has pledged $200,000, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District has provided a grant, and KemperSports is providing additional consulting services. Professional golfer Luke Donald, WWW.PELLUCIDCORP.COM who practiced at Canal Shores during his days at Northwestern, will also provide design consulting services. As for Goss, he is hoping that the new facility will provide a practice area for the Northwestern men's and women's golf teams. The First Tee of Chicago is another likely user for its youth programming. Chad Ritterbusch, executive director of the ASGCA, said that he and other members of the USGA and ASGCA committee who reviewed applications for the renovation project grants Lead Architect David Zinkand's preliminary design of the new Canal Shores, Evanston, Ill. THE PELLUCID PERSPECTIVE 5 http://WWW.PELLUCIDCORP.COM

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Pellucid Perspective - March 2016

TOC
PGA Junior League Golf: Timing is everything
Century old course takes futuristic approach to renovation project
Spring hopes eternal
Turf reduction changing the face of Southwest golf
Say it ain’t so, Joe
February golf weather impact: Good times return
Numbers not peachy for Atlanta golf
Golf’s future under Donald, Hillary, Ted, Bernie et al

The Pellucid Perspective - March 2016