Enhancing and Preserving

Newman Golf Course

A PRESENTATION FOR THE PEORIA PARK DISTRICT

Todd Quitno

Lohmann Golf Designs

Bob Lohmann
Lohmann Golf Designs

2015 (and beyond) Enhancement Project:

General Purpose for the Master Plan

Greens

Bunkers

Fairways

Tees

Timing / Costs

TODD QUITNO, ASGCA

18+ years of project management with LGD
100+ new/renovation projects, 6 national awards
Lead architect for Kellogg Renovation
Concept studies for Madison, Newman

BOB LOHMANN, ASGCA

Founded firm in 1984
Involved in every project since
Currently basking in the sun in Arizona

 Make more beginner friendly by adding more variety in the forward yardages
and improving overall playability (attract Donovan golfers)
Restore to championship caliber by enhancing strategy and length, reinstall as
a host or co-host of the City Championship
Rectify agronomic issues with the greens, specifically the perennial decline in
turf quality during hot summer months (City Championship time)
Resolve major drainage issues that occur across several holes (3-7) causing
closures and subsequent revenue loss (rounds, carts, maintenance delays)
Conserve water, labor and fuel costs by reducing areas of maintained turf
through use of no-mow areas
Keep course open during construction

General Purpose

Objective
Improve health of greens, providing more consistency throughout the 18 holes in terms of
playability, tolerance to heat stress and watering requirements.
Opportunities / Constraints:
Consider possibility of re-surfacing greens
Methyl bromide no longer available
Regrassing requires closing of course

Fumigation

Priority #1

- Greens

Objective
Improve health of greens, providing more consistency throughout the 18 holes in terms of
playability, tolerance to heat stress and watering requirements.
Opportunities / Constraints:
Consider possibility of re-surfacing (like at Kellogg)
Installation of internal drainage system

Priority #1

- Greens

Poor Drainage / Turf Stress

Slit Drainage

Objective
Improve health of greens, providing more consistency throughout the 18 holes in terms of
playability, tolerance to heat stress and watering requirements.
Opportunities / Constraints:
Consider possibility of re-surfacing (like at Kellogg)
Installation of internal drainage system
Reconstruction or coring of problem greens (e.g. 18)

Priority #1

- Greens

Greens Coring

Objective
Improve health of greens, providing more consistency throughout the 18 holes in terms of
playability, tolerance to heat stress and watering requirements.
Opportunities / Constraints:
Consider possibility of re-surfacing (like at Kellogg)
Installation of internal drainage system
Reconstruction or coring of problem greens (e.g. 18)
Green expansions

Priority #1

- Greens

Green Expansion
Slight adjustments in perimeter shapes for varied look
Additional pin positions / spread wear
Greens look, play bigger without reconstruction
Room exists within current irrigation spacing
Use of Donovan sod for material consistency / playability
WORK CAN BE COMPLETED WITHIN 2 TO 3 WEEKS, TWO HOLES AT A TIME,
KEEPING COURSE OPEN DURING CONSTRUCTION

Objective
Improve drainage through swale that crosses holes 3,4,5,7,11 and 17 to provide optimal (dry)
conditions for playability and maintenance
Opportunities / Constraints:
Install sub-surface mainline drainage
system to capture and direct storm
water, dispensing in swale by Hole 12
Provide laterals to collect isolated
pockets of water
Tie new features into mainline
Add full or partial path system to
allow quicker opening after storms

Priority #2-

Drainage

Fumigation

Objective
Provide distinct teeing areas to accommodate a true 4-marker system with adequate size and
yardage variety
Opportunities / Constraints:
Add forward teeing areas to accommodate women, seniors and beginners and relieve stress
on existing tee surfaces (by moving marker)
Separate the red and gold tees so that each has a distinct identity and yardage.
Works well with drainage project (source of dirt)

Fumigation

Priority #3-

Tees

Existing tee layout

where to put the
Gold?
110 yd discrepancy

EXISTING:

6838

6467

5571

Objective
Provide distinct teeing areas to accommodate a true 4-marker system with adequate size and
yardage variety
Opportunities / Constraints:
Add forward teeing areas to accommodate women, seniors and beginners and relieve stress
on existing tee surfaces (by moving marker)
Separate the red and gold tees so that each has a distinct identity and yardage.
Rebuild several back tees making them longer front to back for more yardage variety

Fumigation

Priority #3-

Tees

Extend Hole 17 to par 5

Par 72
Safety with #3 green
More interesting hole

Objective
Rebuild bunkers, providing
More consistent sand conditions throughout course
More resistance to erosion / storm damage (and subsequent clean-up)
Better strategic positioning and overall aesthetic appeal
Opportunities:
Increase number of bunkers to around 31 (from the existing 27) while decreasing the
overall area of sand

Priority #4

- Bunkers

Proposed bunkers:
31 @ 25,000 total sf
Existing bunkers:
27 @ 30,000 total sf

Use of Grass Hollows

Objective
Rebuild bunkers, providing
More consistent sand conditions throughout course
More resistance to erosion / storm damage (and subsequent clean-up)
Better strategic positioning and overall aesthetic appeal
Opportunities:
Increase number of bunkers to around 31 (from the existing 27) while decreasing the
overall area of sand
Maximize visual and strategic appeal while minimizing maintenance

Priority #4-

Bunkers

Example: BEFORE

Anticipated Cost-Benefit:

Reduced sand area

Proper sub-surface drainage removes water instantly

Flatness of sand allows for minimal repair after storms

Visually striking, especially with morning/evening sun

Improve strategic value and playing appeal

Example: AFTER

Objective
Rebuild bunkers, providing
More consistent sand conditions throughout course
More resistance to erosion / storm damage (and subsequent clean-up)
Better strategic positioning and overall aesthetic appeal
Opportunities:
Increase number of bunkers to around 31 (from the existing 27) while decreasing the
overall area of sand
Maximize visual and strategic appeal while minimizing maintenance
Build on priority basis
1st priority: Rebuild existing bunkers, mostly greenside
2nd priority: New bunker locations, mostly fairway (best completed with back tees)

Priority #4-

Bunkers

Proposed Project Phasing and Costs

GREENS EXPANSION AND DRAINAGE PROJECT

Why now (Spring)?
Take immediate action on green health (protect against summer heat)
Use Donovan sod while still available
Scope: 1 6, 8 12, 14 17 (Excl. 7, 13, 18)
Proposed Schedule:
2/11 Approval by Park Board for Lohmann to do design work
2/18 Special meeting
2/25 Plans to Park District Planning Dept.
3/3 Out to bid
3/10 Pre-bid meeting
3/17 Bid opening
3/25 Park Board approval
3/26 Notification to contractor and material blender
5/1 Start construction
Two holes at a time (1 to 2 days down time)
Reopen main part of greens right away (temp. rope off sod expansions)
5/22 Completion

Schedule