Tripp Davis and Associates (TDA) has completed renovation work at Northwood Club in Dallas, Texas.
The 18-month project at the 1952 US Open venue has restored the characteristics of the original 1946 Bill Diddel design, with bunkers and tees repositioned to be more relevant to today’s game. A short course has been added, with four holes from 50 to 120 yards, and the driving range has been rebuilt.
“Tripp and his team have contributed to bringing Northwood Club’s history of US Open golf back to life, blending our rich history with modern concepts for tomorrow,” said Kevin Carpenter, golf course superintendent at Northwood Club. “Tripp’s understanding of the game as a player is apparent in his design detail, yet he’s considerate to the maintenance needs of the final product. It’s been an honour to work with Tripp and his skilful team as they rise to the top of today’s best course designers and restoration specialists.”
TDA and builder Landscapes Unlimited restored all tees, greens and bunkers and reshaped most fairways, along with providing new cart paths, drainage and a new irrigation system. TDA introduced NorthBridge, a new bermuda grass, on all areas of the course other than the bentgrass greens. Creeks on the property were restored and a new irrigation lake was built to help the club recapture more water. Trees that were hiding the quality of the land were removed.
Read more: GCA’s Adam Lawrence reports on his visit to Northwood Club
“To take a classic golf course such as this, and to keep this course in its original mindset while tinkering with it to make it a little more modern, takes a special person and Tripp is certainly one who’s known for being able to do that and being very successful at it,” said Jon Davis, general manager of Northwood Club.
Tees were designed for multiple course set-ups based on the changing wind direction. Wide fairways are now firmer and strategically challenge top golfers based on pin locations. Average golfers have fairway angles to attack the middle of the greens, which are now firmer and faster.
“Northwood is a great club with one of the best and most historic golf courses in Texas,” said Davis. “Our approach was to restore the original character found in Mr. Diddel’s greens, rebuild the bunkers to reflect Diddel’s style, and reposition bunkers and tees to be more strategically relevant for today’s game.”
Watch: Northwood Club hole-by-hole video
Davis is planning on putting a marker on every tee to show where the pros hit from in the 1952 US Open, won by Julius Boros.