Greg Martin, ASGCA, is coming off one of the more active recent years for Martin Design. And his Batavia, Ill.-based firm is off to a busy start for 2013.
2012 saw successful project renovations to several courses, including Arrowhead Golf Club, in Wheaton, Ill.; Prairie Bluff Golf Course, Lockport, Ill.; Fox Run Golf Links, Elk Gove Village, Ill., and LaCroix Links Golf Course. At this 9-hole executive course, in Rapid City, S.D., Martin worked with the local First Tee Chapter and Links Across America to modernize this facility. Martin said, “The needs for each of these facilities were unique. However, bunker renovations, drainage improvements, and improved and increased playability were common themes for each. Good contractors and cooperative weather helped and each project was completed on time, on budget, and will open this spring to excited golfers.”
In 2013, Martin Design has begun planning for improvements at Settler’s Hill Golf Course, Geneva, Ill. A Master Improvement Plan was completed in 2012 that outlined the expansion of the golf course to include practice facilities and the incorporation of a 6-hole Junior Course that will be an Affiliate First Tee facility with the Aurora/Fox River Valley Chapter. This project is part of a Landfill End Use Comprehensive Plan, and is proposed to be completed in multiple phases. Phase I of construction is scheduled to begin later this year.
Later this summer, the Renovation of Wilmette Golf Club will commence. A variety of improvements will be included in this project from green construction, tee and bunker renovations, and significant drainage improvements, irrigation to bioswales, wetland and pond expansions. Martin says, “This project will make a great golf course better. Modernization is necessary at Wilmette. But so is the protection of the resources. We have worked hard to make sure that the character of Wilmette remains in-tact while meeting strict regulatory requirements and integrating unique environmental assets.” Work will begin later in July and be concluded in November of 2013 ready for a late spring/early summer ’14 opening.
Phase II of the Master Plan for Illinois’ Oak Meadows Golf Preserve, DuPage Forest Preserve District, is underway. The Martin Design Team, including Engineering Resource Associates – Civil and Environmental Engineers, with fellow ASGCA members Art Schaupeter and Forrest Richardson – are reviewing more detailed project engineering and design requirements to ensure golf course flood resistance, as well as adequate stormwater management improvements, wetland expansion and permit approval.
In addition to reviewing options for the full redevelopment of the golf course and surrounding preserve, Martin Design and ERA are working with Stephen McKracken at the DuPage River/Salt Creek Work Group and Inter-fluve to devise strategies for development of the Salt Creek Channel basin. Ultimately, the proposed improvements could act as a model for future development by expanding wetlands and stormwater management capabilities, while improving water quality to this urban stream corridor by providing more channel diversity, increasing the “Index of Biotic Integrity,” a leading indicator of habitat health. Martin said, “This is a fascinating and exciting project that will illustrate how golf can solve greater community and environmental problems.”