The challenges of summer construction in Fort Worth, Texas, have not slowed John Colligan, ASGCA, (Colligan Golf Design) at Rockwood Park Golf Course, Golf Course Architecture reports. The course renovation remains on track for a fall 2016 reopening.

GCA reports:

The front nine is complete with new tees, greens, bunkers, cart paths, irrigation, drainage and grass. Crews are working on the back nine with grass planting to be completed by the end of August 2016.

“The biggest challenge has been Mother Nature,” Colligan said. “The 1938 John Bredemus design was very flat with no subsurface drainage and there was over 20 inches of rain during the first part of the Summer, along with temperatures which were much cooler than normal. The cooler temperatures set back the turf farms which created a big demand when the grass was ready to harvest.”

But Colligan rose to the challenge. “Our contractor, Heritage Links, has brought on more man power and the City of Fort Worth has added more funds for extra labour, an increased sprig rate and more sod,” he said. “In addition, the city has been flexible with the opening date in order to give the superintendent Bill Strum more time to get the course ready. It has been a great team effort.”

The result, said Colligan, is a far more interesting course. “I feel that the most interesting part starts with the rerouting of the course. We located an aerial of the course from the early 40s that allowed us to document the original Bredemus bunker style and many of the quirky green shapes which we added to the routing. We also added a pinch of Chicago Golf Club and created some of the most interestingly subtle green floors to be found anywhere.”

The entire article can be found here.