By Kasturi Datta |
The 27-hole Old Westbury Golf & Country Club in Nassau County, New York, has reopened following a renovation by Brian Silva of Silva & Johnson Design.
The three nines (Overlook, Woods and Bluegrass) were designed in 1962 by William Mitchell and are known for their pushed-up greens, false fronts and more than 100 bunkers. Of the 28 original greens (including the practice green), more than half were not to USGA specification, and only had surface drainage. Also, many were severely sloped, which limited pin positions as green speeds have evolved.
“Our objective was to create a more playable and strategic golf course while preserving the championship quality and character that have long defined Old Westbury,” said Mark Rosen, board president of Old Westbury Golf & Country Club.
Greens have been lowered and regrassed with 007XL bentgrass (Photo: Old Westbury)
Silva has worked with contractor NMP Golf Construction to renovate greens, bunkers and tees.
Putting surfaces have been lowered to fairway level and have been regrassed with 007XL bentgrass. Silva has also reduced the number of bunkers to around 70, and they all now feature liner from Better Billy Bunker. Also, some areas of rough have been replaced with shortgrass.
The irrigation system has been replaced with more than 30 miles of new pipe, controls and infrastructure.
Bunkers at Old Westbury have been rebuilt with liner from Better Billy Bunker (Photo: Old Westbury)
“This renovation presented an opportunity to improve fundamental infrastructure and strengthen the strategic character of the golf course without losing the spirit of the original design,” said Silva. “The result is a course that should perform better, play better and serve the membership exceptionally well for years to come.”
Construction work was handled by NMP Golf Construction (Photo: Old Westbury)