23 The Cape Royale golf course in Coldspring, Texas, is to be renovated by golf architect Ty Butler, Landscapes Unlimited’s project development group and contractor Heritage Links. The team are targeting a reopening in autumn 2028. The course closed in 2016, with Trinity River Authority (TRA) taking over the lease in 2024. “The previous operator essentially ran the course into the ground,” said Clay Fetherbay, program manager at Landscapes Unlimited. “The TRA is required to provide recreation as a part of its programme, so they needed to restore it from that standpoint; there are also folks within the TRA that wanted to restore this gem as it’s located in a beautiful spot.” Butler has developed a plan for the course that includes some routing adjustments but preserves most of the original playing corridors. “The course will be more challenging from the tips while maintaining playability for the average golfer,” said Fetherbay. “It will be visually striking compared to the previous layout because of enhanced lake views.” Project team selected for Cape Royale revival Image: Brio Golf Photo: Olde Eight Golf Club that geographically identifies South Carolina’s Piedmont region, where Olde Eight is located,” said Rogers. The teaching academy, ‘The Repair Shop’, will include new practice greens and a short game area. New accommodation is also in construction. In our last issue, Sandy took a trip to North Carolina and visited the acclaimed Old Town Club, a Perry Maxwell design that has been restored by Coore & Crenshaw since 2012. The first name out of the hat was Billy Kurtz, a student from Auburn University and an aspiring golf course architect, too. Congratulations Billy, and all of us at GCA wish you luck in your future career. This month, Sandy stayed in England and visited a course designed by an American golf course architect. There is a plaque commemorating the golfing performance of another American, who now also has his own design business, on the closing hole. That’s enough of a clue! To be in with a chance of winning a GCA shirt, send your answer to gopher@golfcoursearchitecture.net. GOPHER WATCH
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