It’s a beautiful day in the Jax Beach Golf Club neighborhood . . .

 

 

   

Ask Harrison Minchew - Golf Course Architect . . .

What are some of the design features/holes you would like to spotlight? We eliminated several force carriers over water hazards that only impeded play

of high handicap players.

All green sites were totally redesigned with expansive apron areas to promote a variety of short game options from chipping to putting. The apron areas are the same Platinum Paspalum turf as the greens.

Provided extra length and, most importantly, added tees so the course could be played equitably. For example, if a scratch player would have a 155 yard 8 iron to green after a 260 drive there is a tee that after a 190 yard drive a 120 yard 8 iron could be used. This concept was used in relocating all tee areas for golfers hitting shorter or longer distances; therefore, course can be set up so less skilled/higher handicap shorter hitting player can use a similar approach club as a scratch player playing the back tees.

There are mature live oak and native palms that define the holes. I have incorporated large native sand areas planted with native grasses and flowers to give a native dune feel to the course.

Provided a large short game practice area with a 2,500 sf green, large practice

bunker and large surrounding chipping pitching area to accommodate up to 60 yard pitch shots. Mimicked the green and pitching area from Augusta National used for DCP competition. Miles Russel of Jacksonville Beach came in 2nd this year in 7-9 year old division.

A 35,000 sf area for a future putting course was shaped and grassed with Platinum Paspalum. It is part of a huge area that encompasses nine green and the putting green. When putting course is constructed to USGA specifications (hopefully within 12 months), there will be a possibility of providing over an acre for a putting. Plan would be to light along with adjacent driving range.

The driving range, located 30 feet from the clubhouse, the first thing seen

entering the parking lot is now a gem. The hitting stations were enlarged by 50% with a huge grass tee and area for a teaching academy.

The final three holes are essentially new holes. 16 is a 435 yard par 4, 17 is a downwind 335 yard drive able par 4, and 18 is a 520 yard double dogleg reachable par 5 flanked by a large lake down the entire right side of the hole that allows second shot options to lay up for a wedge 3rd shot, a short pitch, or reach green in 2 shots. The finish of the course will be very memorable.

What were some of the challenges of this project? The challenges of the project were typical of many older golf facilities. The design of course features was simplistic, turf conditions substandard due in large part to an irrigation system that was dilapidated. The course had very old varieties of turf, greens built with native soil, substandard irrigation system and pump station.

Corrective measures such as a new pump station with injector pumps to treat the water were installed with most of the irrigation system was replaced/updated. To address the salts in the water, inherent to effluent water, Platinum Paspalum, the newest variety of salt tolerant turf, was planted on the greens and expansive apron areas. The beautiful green color of Paspalum is a beautiful contrast to the Bermudagrass of other disturbed areas and existing areas that were not disturbed. With the Platinum Paspalum greens and closely mown aprons the variety of design features of green sites are beautiful, well defined and striking in contrast to the surrounding areas.

What were some of the highlights of this project?

All essential factors came together on this project:

The approval of the Course Master Plan received unanimous approval of the City Council.

I was on site essentially everyday working with a very talented construction team. MacCurrach Golf Construction, a local golf contractor who performs all improvements

to the TPC Sawgrass provided an excellent construction team. They exceeded their scope of work in an effort to give back to public golf in the area. They performed to the highest standards while constructing White Oak Plantation, probably the last Pete Dye design and their myriad of responsibilities at TPC Sawgrass.

Most importantly, Trevor Hughes, a superstar assistant greens superintendent from Ponte Vedra Inn and Club, was hired. He had grown in the remodels of both courses during 20 years at Ponte Vedra Club and successfully dealt with an effluent irrigation supply.

It just seems the stars lined up on this one and the local support and buzz about the project is tremendous. I recognized early on the potential of the project and experienced enthusiasm from so many local golfers and people in the golf industry.

From Mary Lyons, our Director of Golf Instruction . . .

Mary, what are your thoughts on the new course?

Like an old friend or loved one that you haven’t seen in a long while . . . at first glance you will be struck by a few differences but the heart and soul of that old friend will come shining through and your friendship renewed. You’ll remember what you fell in love with so long ago. The beauty and challenge of Jax Beach Golf Course has been revived and I know that we are all more than ready to get out and renew our old friendships with fellow golfers and the course itself.

Double rainbow Saturday morning!

Friendly reminders . . .

The tentative grand re-opening date is mid-October. We aim to provide a fixed date in next week’s issue!

Visit our website at www.jacksonvillebeach.org for updates.

We welcome your comments. Email us at recreation@jaxbchfl.net.

Stay tuned . . .