Kolter Homes, a Builder Magazine “Top 100 Builder” based in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, hired golf course architect Chris Wilczynski, ASGCA, of C.W. Golf Architecture in April 2021 to design and oversee the completion of an 18-hole golf course within a new private residential community in southeast Florida. Astor Creek Country Club is scheduled to open in 2023.
The developer selected Wilczynski based on his successful track record of designing several new golf courses within private residential communities throughout Florida and the US. Wilczynski will oversee the construction of the course starting in January 2022, until completion.
“We’re eager to see the many facets of this project come to life after several months in the making,” said Keith Berg, Senior Vice President of Land Development at Kolter Homes. “I’m proud of our dedicated team that is working diligently to bring an exceptional lifestyle community to the heart of Florida’s Treasure Coast – one that residents and golfers of all ages will enjoy for years to come.”
The project marks the 4th brand new 18-hole golf course within a lifestyle residential community that Wilczynski has designed, since starting his own firm in 2010 – and the 7th time partnering with golf course contractor Ryan Golf. Other key partners include land planner Atwell Group (formerly Waldrop Engineering), Thomas Engineering Group, landscape architect Cotleur & Hearing, irrigation consultant Tony Altum of A.S. Altum & Associates and golf management company Hampton Golf.
“We’re essentially striving to create a golfer’s utopia from a dead-flat piece of property that was once a citrus farm,” said Wilczynski. “We’ll be moving nearly 850,000 cubic yards of soil excavated from lakes to create the dimension and character of the course then layer in a variety of Florida vegetation – primarily oaks, palms, pines and native grasses to accentuate its lines, give it texture, and color. It’s like the evolution of a painting,” he said.
The Astor Creek course plan evolved from multiple iterations that were developed, and Kolter opted for an 18-hole design that provides ample space for wider corridors to enhance playability, home views and property values. Every home will enjoy a view of the golf course or water feature, and Astor Creek residents will appreciate having access to the 15-acre state-of-the art grass driving range, a 3-acre short game complex with multiple greens and bunkers and a 15,000-sf practice putting green.
“Our vision is for golfers to enjoy a blend of tranquility and ease of playability,” Wilczynski added. “We’re designing a course for today’s golfer – one who loves beauty and a challenge and wants to have fun.”