Winning Entry
The Competition Contestants were challenged to find the best 18-holes on a random topographic map provided by the contest moderator. Fifteen contestants participated in the competition.
Click Here to View the Competition Website
Judges Mike Nuzzo ASGCA & President at Nuzzo Course Design
Tim Nugent ASGCA & Principal Architect at Nugent Golf, Inc.Philip Spogard Principal at Spogard & Vandervaart GCA
The Entry Granite Ridge Golf Club was inspired by the parkland stylecourses I grew up playing in New England. Rolling terrain, tree-lined fairways, hidden bunkers, and wetlands are a few of many characteristics expressed in both the ourses I grew up on and the design presented below.
The overall character of the course is one that takesadvantage of grade changes, places an emphasis on shot shaping, and allows players of all abilities to experience something new every time he / she teesit up. While the course may carry a consistent design style, the forest environment allows for isolation of each hole, creating the illusion that you are experiencing eighteen separate experiences, a signature trait of courses in New England.
The two nines at Granite Ridge relate to the natural features around which they are routed. The front nine weaves around the forest of the upper plateau of the property, crossing a variety of wetlands and naturalized areas. The back nine is set in a lower valley where six holes cross Kings Creek. This varying character and interactionwith natural elements helps to stimulate environmental awareness and createrisk / reward options for players throughout the round.
