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

Richard Humphreys
/ Categories: News

Bill Bergin continues progress with Highlands Falls renovation

Bill Bergin is progressing with the second nine holes of a renovation project at Highlands Falls Country Club in North Carolina.

The golf architect says the focus has been to “update the mechanics of all aspects of the golf course”, and has introduced new green complexes, bunkers, irrigation and drainage.

Work on the back nine began in 2019 was completed in October 2020. “We are very pleased with the results we have achieved on the back nine,” said Bergin. “The par threes are truly a highlight as we bookend this nine with terrific holes along the lake, while having enhanced the view and magical feel of the waterfall par-three fifteenth.

“Meandering along pristine mountain streams and lakes, the course at Highlands Falls presents an intimate golf experience. Water features dominate the scenery and greatly influence the strategy on each hole. The golf objectives are clear and manageable as they blend seamlessly with the natural landscape.”

Bergin said work around the green complexes has been designed to provide “variety and opportunities for recovery”.

Work on the front nine is progressing well. “All golf course features are being updated, but the highlight of the front nine is the opening up of the second and sixth holes,” said Bergin. “These parallel short par fours will be some of the most exciting and fun holes on the course, mixed with a bit of treachery to keep players on their toes!”

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  • Highlands
    Highlands Falls

    Bill Bergin has completed work on the back nine at Highlands Falls, including the par-three fifteenth (pictured)

  • Highlands
    Highlands Falls

    Bergin said the par threes – including the tenth, pictured – are “truly a highlight”

  • Highlands
    Highlands Falls

    Work has now moved to the front nine (pictured, the par-four sixth)

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Highlands Falls
Richard Humphreys

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