The Fort Myers (Fla.) Country Club, a 1917 course designed by ASGCA founding member Donald Ross, will be rebuilt by Steve Smyers, ASGCA.
“Golf Course Architecture” reports the project will break ground in April 2014.
The magazine reports:
“’The focus of the project is to design a new golf course – this isn’t a restoration or renovation – as if Ross were approaching the site today, mindful of modern playing equipment, maintenance equipment and practices, turf grasses and environmental concerns,’ Smyers said. Ross’ original Fort Myers course was roughly 6,300 yards long, while the new Smyers-designed course will be 7,000 yards, playing to a par of 70, with five par threes and three par fives.
“’The goal is to satisfy the current customer base, but also make FMCC more attractive and challenging to younger, more accomplished golfers,’ said Smyers. ‘The new FMCC is being designed to be the area’s ‘go to’ site for various USGA qualifying events, as well as to accommodate state and regional amateur events. As it has done since 1963, FMCC will continue to be the home to the annual Coors Light Open, site of two-time US Open Champion Lee Janzen’s first professional victory.’
The project is expected to be completed in October and remain a semi-private facility. “We are working closely with USGA Green Section agronomists to build a course that demonstrates the highest standards of environmental stewardship,” said Smyers. “Long-term water demands are being minimised through the use of native upland grasses and the induction of indigenous wetland vegetation.”