By On Course Strategies
Tripp Davis and Associates Commences Restoration
of Tillinghast’s Spring Lake Course in New Jersey
Norman, OK —Golf course architecture firm Tripp Davis and Associates will embark this week on its two-year Master Plan for renovating and restoring Spring Lake Golf Club’s historic course. Located on New Jersey’s north shore, the club’s original 18 holes were designed by George Thomas (the genius behind Riviera Country Club) in 1911. In 1918, A.W. Tillinghast, one of America’s greatest golf course architects, was engaged to redesign, strengthen and update the course.
Golf architect Tripp Davis, who is noted for his work with historic golf courses around the country, was asked by Spring Lake Golf Club in 2011 to create a strategic plan that would restore the character of the course first laid out by Thomas and later improved upon by Tillinghast. “Our direction and focus in developing a Master Plan for Spring Lake was to keep Thomas’s solid routing intact, then look to what Tillinghast did so we could work to reestablish
the importance of angles off the tees, restore and enhance the strategic intent of the bunkers and return them to their original style,” said Davis. “Additionally, fairway widths that were altered over the years will be regained, the once sandy scrub areas that were a prominent feature will be reintroduced, some greens will be rebuilt, and overall there will be a more open feel to the landscape.”
With Spring Lake being so close to the Atlantic, Davis and his team will introduce Fine Fescues in various areas to promote more of a seaside feel. While making the course more strategically interesting for modern play, the end result is to let golfers experience a step back in time.
“I am very excited to start our work at Spring Lake,” Davis commented. “It is a special place that will have a stronger connection to its heritage when we are done.”
The Master Plan is being implemented in phases with the first phase beginning October 15th on the back nine bunkers, sandy scrub areas, select tees, the expansion of certain greens and fairways, planting of Fine Fescue areas, as well as some drainage improvements. The front nine changes are scheduled for October 2014. Tripp Davis and Associates most recently completed a renovation and restoration of the Tillinghast designed Brook Hollow Golf Club in Dallas, Texas.
About Tripp Davis and Associates
TrippDavis and Associates (TDA) was founded in 1994 and has offices in Norman, Oklahoma, and Peoria, Arizona. TDA practices golf architecture with an unparalleled passion for craftsmanship of unique landscapes and strategic details. Tripp Davis, a decorated amateur golfer, was a member of the 1989 National Championship Golf Team and a NCAA All-American selection while at the University of Oklahoma. He continues to play in several prestigious amateur events each year. His abilities as a world-class player give him a unique insight into those subtle details in strategy that can make a golf course an interesting challenge for better players, while proving an enjoyable test for the average golfer. His knowledge of the game has also been incorporated into the development of innovative practice facilities that give players the opportunity to practice the right shots in the right way, thus expanding their golfing abilities and their appreciation for the game.
Davis earned a Master’s Degree in Landscape Architecture from The University of Oklahoma and is a Member of the American Society of Golf Course Architects.
TDA is principally known for their highly regarded work at historic golf courses around the United States and their hands on approach in doing one original design at a time around the world. For more information about Tripp Davis and Associates, please visit the website at www.tdagolf.net or call 405-447-5259.
