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For Immediate Release
STOUFFVILLE, ON – Building bunkers is becoming a complex affair for Tom McBroom.
When he put the shovel in the ground last July at Granite Golf Club to dig out and replace old sand, McBroom wanted to tweak some of the bunkers. Five months later, when the Toronto-based golf course architect finally walked away from the project, there was a new love in his life.
“I have never seen bunkers like this before, you need to get out and see them,” says McBroom who intertwined the Granite GC layout through gently rolling countryside and the untouched natural beauty of the Oak Ridges Moraine in 2000. “I’m creating something new that just comes from my imagination with a dramatic look and theme that is relevant for today.”
McBroom has completely changed the bunker style at Granite GC. They are powerful, dramatic, rugged & ragged, striking, infinitely complex in design, sophisticated and definitely more challenging. Some might even say harsh in spots – especially if your ball comes to lie in one of the craggy fingers that creep out of the bunkers and you need to hit it sideways or backwards to get out!
Strategically, the bunkers at Granite GC were fine right where they were. However, the club decided it was time to replace the old bunker sand with USGA approved Pro Angle manufactured sand, due to poor drainage and continuing contamination with the clay soil. McBroom added a handful of new bunkers, but it is imposing scale and intricacy of the individual bunkers that will charm and fascinate golfers.
“I’m really pleased with the response we have been receiving from the membership,” he says noting that it’s refreshing that a traditional country club would openly welcome and encourage such change. “As we went from one hole to the next, the members loved the look and wanted more. What started out as a gentle project evolved into a full-scale artistic undertaking that literally transformed the 78 bunkers.”
McBroom has been continually working to add character to a golf course and its greens sites by designing dynamic, multifaceted bunkers that are increasingly more complex in detail, but still remain maintained and refined with blue grasses. They may look deeper because McBroom bulked up the sides of some bunkers with topsoil, but they aren’t and there is certainly a much improved sand consistency from one to the next.
The style and theme has evolved through a series of projects over the last few years that started with FireRock GC and progressed through Ambassador GC, Memphremagog GC, Tobiano, Tower Ranch to Southwood G&CC and recent renovation projects including Port Carling G&CC and Country Hills GC.
“Granite now has ragged but maintained bunkers that fit well into its traditional, classic design,” McBroom says noting he hasn’t added gnarly fescue grasses like many architects tend to do. “The Bunkers are cut tightly into the greens now, gone are the days of a friendly six foot apron surrounding his greens.”
About Granite Golf Club: Granite GC is affiliated with the Granite Club in Toronto. The course opened in 2000 and currently there are 575 golfing members. With an average of 18,000 rounds played per year, members enjoy the privilege of simply walking on the course when they’re ready to play. The club hosted the RCGA’s Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship in 2007 won by Stephanie Sherlock of Barrie. The private family oriented facility offers golf and outdoor recreation camps in the summer for about 225 youngsters. In recognition of its strong commitment to environmental excellence, the club was certified as an “Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary” in 2004 and received an award for Water Conservation from the Township of Uxbridge in 2008.
About Tom McBroom
& Associates:
Tom is a master craftsman known for creating a collection of 60-plus
custom-designed modern classics designed to fit naturally upon each
project’s unique landscape. These masterpieces are distinguished
by attention to detail, craftsmanship, strategic intrigue, playability,
breathtaking scenery, memorability and cost effectiveness. Six courses
have been selected “Best New Canadian Course” by Golf Digest
magazine including; Tobiano (2008), The Ridge at Manitou (2006), Timberwolf
GC (2000), Bell Bay GC (1998), The Lake Joseph Club (1997) and Crowbush
Cove (1994). Twelve of his designs are ranked among Canada’s Top-100
Courses by SCOREGolf magazine. For more information contact:
John Gravett,
General Manager & COO
Tom McBroom Brent Long |
