Interviews

Oakmont: An interview with Gil Hanse

With the 2025 US Open arriving at Oakmont, Richard Humphreys spoke with the architect, who renovated the course in 2023, about what to expect

Martin Ebert: Design journey

With a portfolio that includes eight of the ten Open venues, Mackenzie & Ebert occupies an enviable position in the golf design industry. Adam Lawrence spoke with principal Martin Ebert to learn how they got there

Designs for the big screen

Chad Goetz and Agustin Piza discuss their design decisions for the virtual holes that featured in the first season of TGL

Bob Harrison: Wizard of Oz

The Australian designer has had a long career and, like many of his countrymen, has spent much of it away from home. Adam Lawrence listened to his tales from the road

Ben Cowan-Dewar: Shock and awe

Golf development firm Cabot now has properties in six countries. Richard Humphreys speaks with co-founder and CEO Ben Cowan-Dewar about what makes a great site, selection of golf course architects, and more

Team building

Turfgrass has launched its US arm with the appointment of John Lawrence, Adam Moeller and Brad Owen. Richard Humphreys speaks with them, Turfgrass founder John Clarkin and director of agronomy Julian Mooney to find out more

Brian Curley: Life of Brian

The designer has surely clocked up more air miles than anyone else in the business. Adam Lawrence caught up with him in between flights to discuss his career and his new venture with Jim Wagner

Oakmont: An interview with Gil Hanse

With the 2025 US Open arriving at Oakmont, Richard Humphreys spoke with the architect, who renovated the course in 2023, about what to expect

Martin Ebert: Design journey

With a portfolio that includes eight of the ten Open venues, Mackenzie & Ebert occupies an enviable position in the golf design industry. Adam Lawrence spoke with principal Martin Ebert to learn how they got there

Designs for the big screen

Chad Goetz and Agustin Piza discuss their design decisions for the virtual holes that featured in the first season of TGL

Bob Harrison: Wizard of Oz

The Australian designer has had a long career and, like many of his countrymen, has spent much of it away from home. Adam Lawrence listened to his tales from the road

Ben Cowan-Dewar: Shock and awe

Golf development firm Cabot now has properties in six countries. Richard Humphreys speaks with co-founder and CEO Ben Cowan-Dewar about what makes a great site, selection of golf course architects, and more

Team building

Turfgrass has launched its US arm with the appointment of John Lawrence, Adam Moeller and Brad Owen. Richard Humphreys speaks with them, Turfgrass founder John Clarkin and director of agronomy Julian Mooney to find out more

Brian Curley: Life of Brian

The designer has surely clocked up more air miles than anyone else in the business. Adam Lawrence caught up with him in between flights to discuss his career and his new venture with Jim Wagner

BallenIsles gives green light to Nicklaus Design’s plan for East course
Richard Humphreys
/ Categories: News

BallenIsles gives green light to Nicklaus Design’s plan for East course

The members at BallenIsles Country Club in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, have approved a renovation plan developed by Nicklaus Design for its East course.

The project is being led by Chris Cochran and Chad Goetz, working with Troon project manager Ron Despain. The trio’s work aims to modernise bunkers and greens, create more playing options for golfers of all abilities and add length to the existing 7,189-yard layout, while also regrassing the entire course.

Construction is expected to begin in April 2022 and is scheduled for completion in December, with the building of a new learning centre also part of the project scope.

“We not only want to truly enhance the golf course playing characteristics for the club’s members to enjoy day to day, but to make sure the world’s top players would be challenged as Mr Nicklaus was in his 1971 PGA victory,” said Paul Stringer, president of Nicklaus Design. “Our goal is to work in concert with the club to ensure the end product is best-in-class and a reflection of the high standards established at BallenIsles.”

At the practice facilities, all teeing areas, target greens and practice greens will be revamped. A new short-game area will be added, along with a pitch-and-putt course and a large putting green.

“As the club continues to evaluate each area of our offering, we felt there was an immediate need and wonderful opportunity to enhance our historic course and truly provide a best-in-class practice experience and facilities for our members,” said BallenIsles Country Club general manager and chief operating officer Ryan Walls. “The link to our past tying smartly to the modern future is a key element to our strategic plan.”

The renovation of the East follows the 2020 redesign of the South course by Rees Jones.

Previous Article Gopher Watch Competition – January 2022
Next Article Ground game comes to the fore at Scioto Country Club
Print
2333 Rate this article:
No rating
ADd Image Credit here for home page
BallenIsles Country Club
Richard Humphreys

Richard HumphreysRichard Humphreys

Other posts by Richard Humphreys
Contact author

Contact author

x

Subscribe to the Golf Course Architecture newsletter


  • ©2025 Tudor Rose. All Rights Reserved. Golf Course Architecture is published by Tudor Rose.