Knollwood Country Club in West Bloomfield, Michigan, has reopened following a renovation by Zinkand Golf Design.
Construction began in August 2024 with David Zinkand’s masterplan including the creation of a new par-three seventeenth near its original footprint and shifting tees and landing areas on the ninth and tenth holes.
“The existing seventeenth hole didn’t fit the charming, Golden Age allure of Knollwood, so a new concept was devised to not only better fit the property’s character, but also provide additional separation from the practice range,” said Zinkand. “Similarly, the ninth and tenth holes were realigned to take better advantage of a subtle valley along a small creek in the middle of the property, while improving player safety by increasing the distance between the holes.”
The project involved reshaping and repositioning bunkers with issues of poor drainage and contaminated sand addressed by the installation of CapillaryFlow liners.
“Some bunkers that we removed were generally greenside and eliminated in the name of improving playability and aesthetics,” said Zinkand. “We also added several, particularly along fairways, to capitalise on and embellish the terrain. All bunkers now exhibit a classic, Golden Age character with meandering lips and low leading edges for ease of entry and expanded visibility.”
Zinkand has expanded and recontoured all of Knollwood’s greens and surrounds to address the lack of pin positions, brought on by shrinking putting surface perimeters and higher modern green speeds.
Other work includes fairway expansions, introduction of low-mow green surrounds, tree removal, driving range improvements and a revamping of the short-game area.
David Zinkand’s masterplan for Knollwood, which includes a new seventeenth, tweaks to holes nine and ten, bunker relocations, green expansions and tree removal (Image: Zinkand Golf Design)
“Since opening earlier this month, Knollwood members have been raving about the incredible results that Dave and his team delivered,” said Tracy Wilson, general manager at Knollwood. “ZGD’s deep knowledge of Golden Age architecture, exceptional construction skills and impressive attention to detail have created a private golf experience that now promises to rank among the best in metro Detroit.”