In Keith Cutten's wonderful new book,
The Evolution of Golf Course Design, he references a quote from the great golf course architect, Alister MacKenzie:
"Golf is a game, and talk and discussion is all to the interests of the game. Anything that keeps the game alive and prevents us being bored with it is an advantage. Anything that makes us think about it, talk about it, and dream about it is all to the good and prevents the game becoming dead."
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| Mountain Course first tee project. Notice die-back in trees. |
This quote reflects our work conducted on both courses this winter. We believe that it is important to continually make noticeable enhancements to the courses. The projects initiated this winter were focused on developing a fresh new look and feel to selected areas of each golf course. At The Mountain Course we have begun a project on the first tee. This tee box has two tree islands that border it. The trees in both of these areas are showing signs of stress due to the exposed nature of the site. The trees on the golfers left have been particularly impacted and in various stages of decline. During the winter months we cleared all of the trees in this left side island. The next phase of the project is to haul in fill material and create a substantial mounded feature. This mound area will be planted with wonderful fine fescue grass. The clearing work has opened up a great view of Spruce Peak to the north. Now, with views of Mount Mansfield to the west, Spruce Peak to the north and the Worcester range to the south, the setting for the opening tee at the Mountain Course will be even more visually stunning.
A second enhancement project at The Mountain Course that we conducted this winter focused on tree thinning the area left of nine fairway. This project is being done to open up small visual windows of the green complex from the tee. The thinning will give the ninth tee shot a different feel and provide the golfer a sneak peek to their final destination on this short dogleg left.
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| Stowe Country Club white pine grove before. |
At Stowe Country Club, our focus continues to be on projects that enhance the views and highlight the iconic rolling Vermont topography. These two characteristics of the golf course give it an authentic identity. We feel strongly that the future of Stowe Country Club is not in the pine and spruce trees that proliferate on the property but rather the mountain views and rolling topography.
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| Stowe Country Club white pine grove after. |
This winter a major tree clearing project was conducted in the vicinity between one fairway and eight green. This grove of trees consisted of strictly white pine that were planted forty years ago. Historic overhead photographs substantiate this. These white pines were dying from inside the grove outward. Many trees were in all stages of die-back. This decline was very evident after wind storms in late 2017 and early 2018 hit the golf course. A significant amount of damage occurred in this grove due complete blow downs and trees snapped in half. With this decline occurring, the large amount of manpower continually being allocated to clean up around it, and the obstructed mountain views the decision was made to look toward the future and remove it. The area is now in the process of being graded and will eventually be seeded to fine fescue.
As we progress toward opening day at both courses you may encounter work being done to the first tee at The Mountain Course and the clearing work at Stowe Country Club. Thank you for your patience with any disturbance as we strive to enhance both properties by keeping an eye on the future.
