Fought to renovate Dallas CC course

4 February 2010

Architect John Fought has been hired to carry out a major renovation at the prestigious Dallas Country Club in Texas.

Fought, a former US Amateur champion and two-time PGA Tour winner, plans to return the course, which has undergone a series of makeovers since its original creation back in 1912, to a more classic look.

“The goal is to re-establish a classic architectural look to historically match the course that is reminiscent of Donald Ross,” Fought said. But the course has no previous ties to Ross, although it was designed by another Scottish transplant, Tom Bendelow. Bendelow’s long career in the US saw him create nearly 600 courses, including Medinah Country Club’s famous No. 3 course.

Located in the Dallas suburb of Highland Park, the club was established in 1896. The significant, ongoing renovation of the Dallas CC’s clubhouse necessitated the adjustment of a number of holes along the golf course.

Last year, Fought, who earned his Ross stripes by restoring Pine Needles in North Carolina (read GCA's review of the Pine Needles project) was was recruited by the board of directors to develop a Master Improvement Plan, as well as rebuild the property’s practice facilities. Fought has now been entrusted with the renovation of the course, which, he said, is practically “new construction,” since the redesign will be comprehensive to include the conversion of the high sand-face bunkers to grass-face bunkers, with slightly elevated greens and rectangular tees.

Fought explained the Dallas CC course has undergone several modifications since it formally opened in 1912, the most recent performed by Jay Morrish. When the current renovation is complete, Fought said the 18-hole layout will remain as a par 70, but will be lengthened modestly to approximately 6,600 yards. It currently measures at 6,266 yards. Work is scheduled to begin in May and the course will be closed throughout the renovation project.