73 After closing in 1995, the site underwent landfill restoration. It was covered with protective capping layers and gas management systems were installed. It was eventually converted into a managed green space, but with strict usage limits. Fry/Straka Global Golf Course Design was appointed to create an 18-hole golf course on the site. “Because of the crosstraining of our staff in the disciplines of civil engineering, environmental design, landscape architecture, agronomy and turfgrass management, we get asked to work on some pretty complex permitting and engineering projects,” says Straka. “This one, by far, was the most complicated.” The routing was developed by Fry/ Straka’s senior design associate Bill Kerman, a former civil engineer. “His ability in site grading, stormwater management, coupled with his artistic ability in creating golf holes out of literally nothing is unrivalled,” says Straka. Some holes were identified early – such as the opener and closer of each nine, whose locations were dictated by the selection of the clubhouse site on the water’s edge, and the par-three twelfth, which plays downhill towards the Tolo Harbour. The rest followed, many traversing the steep sides of the domed site. In 2024, Fry/Straka’s masterplan was approved, and Flagstick Golf Course Construction Management began construction, with agronomy consultancy Turfgrass taking a lead role. The course is expected to be complete in 2027. “From pre-construction project management, drainage systems and SubAir, detailed agronomy specifications to maintenance facility design, our focus has been to deliver a high-performance golf course capable of thriving in Hong Kong’s unique climatic conditions,” says John Clarkin, founder of Turfgrass. “The systems we have implemented, from sandcapped fairways to advanced moisture management technologies, will ensure year-round consistency and exceptional playing standards.” “We are creating many golf holes out of steep side-slopes, where reinforced structures are placed on the downhill Plover Cove is expected to open in 2027 “ Plover Cove represents a defining moment for sustainable golf development in Asia” Photo: Harris Kalinka
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