The Joe Bartholomew Golf Course in New Orleans was devastated by floodwater caused by Hurricane Katrina. As course architect, Garrett Gill, ASGCA has helped restore the course, maintaining the integrity of the original Bartholomew design.
The project is two-phased: restoration of the course, and construction of the course’s buildings, including the clubhouse and the maintenance building.
When Gill first visited the site, he was able to look past the destruction and see potential for rebirth of “a tremendous piece of property.” He thought “the way the holes were put together was almost perfect.”
The course was originally built in the 1950s by Joseph M. Bartholomew, who was the first African-American inducted into the Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame. Bartholomew designed several local courses that he was not allowed to play because of segregation.
As part of the restoration, the par 72 course has been lengthened by about 400 yards. The designers also “sculpted” the ground, adding contouring to assist with drainage and to make the course more interesting for players. Additionally, nine lakes have been added, every tree on the property was trimmed, the cart path is finished, and power lines no longer cross the course.
Content for this piece was taken from an article from Nola.com, available in its entirety here.
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