Environmental sustainability is becoming more important than ever, and that has never been more apparent in the golf industry. Most winners in this year’s Development of the Year competition went to enormous lengths to not only preserve the natural beauty of their landscapes but to enhance and give back to the environment.
The Coronet Course in New Zealand took top honors in the Resort/Daily Fee category, and architects Greg Turner and Scott Macpherson highlighted the surrounding beauty at every turn.
“The dramatic land for the new Coronet course features streams, wetlands and rocky outcrops, and these have been massaged into the layout for golfers to enjoy as they play across the 230-foot terrain changes from the valley floor to the upper lands and back down,” the architects said. “Fairways ride the contours, and all greens are designed to the highest quality to offer fun and challenges for golfers of all abilities, all year round.”
Winners were judged according to how well the vision of the project was executed, the course aesthetics, economic and environmental sustainability, course routing, and land usage. The judges were Darryl Bartlett, senior project manager at NMP Golf Construction Corp.; Casey Paulson, project president at Driftwood Golf and Ranch Club; Kevin Norby of Norby Golf Course Design; Mike Nuzzo of Nuzzo Course Design; and Tripp Davis, president of Tripp Davis and Associates.
(Excerpted from the May/June 2023 issue of Golf Inc.)
Click here to check out the winners for the Best Private courses and the Best Golf Entertainment facilities.
The Coronet Course at Millbrook ResortResort/Daily Fee
FIRST PLACE
Coronet Course at Millbrook Resort
Arrowtown, Central Otago, New Zealand
Owner/Developer: Millbrook Country Club Ltd.
Architects: Greg Turner and Scott Macpherson
Contractor: Signal Management Group
Cost: $18.6 million
The vision for Millbrook was to have a world-class golf and lifestyle resort co-existing with a country club. The resort is based around the remnants of an old wheat farm that was established during the Otago Gold Rush of the 1860s. The new development celebrates that history and enhances it through the integration of a working farm with the resort.
Millbrook wanted to add a second course to its original track, the Remarkables Course, to bolster its offerings. The Coronet Course sits on 150 acres ranging from small hills at 1,700 feet above sea level down to a valley sitting at 1,345 feet.
The developers undertook a restoration of key areas within Mill Farm to protect the existing habitat and native species. Extensive wetlands planting took place to support and encourage fish and birdlife. The developers planted more than 30,000 native flora, and the revegetation efforts reflect and support the alpine environment.
To meet environmental regulations, an irrigation reservoir was built to return water to the Remarkables Course.
What the judges said:
“As you drive through the 160-year-old trees, stop at the Mill House for a bite, pick one of two killer courses to play, then end the day at Smithy’s whiskey bar. Are you kidding me! This place is magical!” — Darryl Bartlett
“Spectacular site and a well-conceived routing and vision. Project goals and developer’s commitment are apparent.” — Kevin Norby
“Big goals for this facility. Some incredible vistas. Clean, modern architecture.” — Casey Paulson
SECOND PLACE
RainDance National Resort & Golf
Windsor, Colorado
Owner/Developer: The Water Valley Co.
Architects: Harrison Minchew Golf Course Architecture
Contractor: Eagle Golf Construction
Cost: $12 million
The expansive site at RainDance was designed with the goal of hosting any regional or national men’s or women’s golf event. With a tournament length of 8,463 yards, it is now the longest course in North and South America and the third longest in the world.
Architect Harrison Minchew gave the course extremely long views of the Rocky Mountains and areas to the north, ensuring that the course reflected the region’s natural character.
The course sits in the northeastern section of the RainDance master-planned community. The routing preserved and enhanced a one-mile section of the 26-mile regional Poudre River Trail.
Many holes were graded and shaped. The goal of the routing was to provide several different sequences of holes to enable the golfer to enjoy the challenge and beauty of the course in less than the traditional 18-hole round.
Wooden bridges were constructed across seven arroyos. The developers graded and revegetated the others with indigenous shrubs and grasses.
“RainDance National was not only a fabulously fun project to build but it seems to be proving itself to be worldly important,” said Martin Lind, owner and developer of RainDance. “Our compassion to honor the rich agricultural history of our region while building a world class resort-style golf destination was a worthy and noble effort.”
What the judges said:
“The architect has done a nice job of working with the native landscape and preserving the arroyos and unique landforms.” — Kevin Norby
THIRD PLACE
Landmand Golf Club
Homer, Nebraska
Owner/Developer: Will Andersen
Architects: King Collins Golf Course Design
The biggest challenge the architects of Landmand faced was a landscape that, while beautiful, was unfriendly to golf. Principals Tad King and Rob Collins needed to move massive amounts of earth to make it a walkable course that allows for strategy and offers variety in length and direction for the 18-hole course. The dirt that was moved was hidden in such a way that the resulting course seems to have been there from the beginning.
The course features four short par-4 holes, a rarity as most courses only have one such hole. Additionally, the average size of the greens is 14,000 square feet, much larger than a typical course, giving Landmand a higher degree of difficulty.
A standout feature is a dry barranca — a narrow and winding river gorge — that weaves down the valley center of the third hole. It’s a striking visual feature with thick grass banks that can swallow up errant balls.
HONORABLE MENTION
Little Sandy
Fernandina Beach, Florida
Owner/Developer: Omni Hotels and Resorts
Architects: Beau Welling Design
Developed on the site of a former 18-hole course, Little Sandy’s 10-hole short course covers only 30 acres. The goal was to create an entertaining alternative to the other golf offerings at the resort, striving for playability and an easy-going atmosphere.
The course was designed to be walking only, helping to preserve environmental sustainability throughout the native sand dune landscape. It can be played in just over an hour, either as a standalone experience or as a cap to an 18-hole round elsewhere at the resort.
It offers a laid back and relaxed atmosphere that continues through to the pro shop and the starter building with its expansive porch overlooking the water and the entire course. Adding to the beach theme are a firepit and lounge chairs with umbrellas.