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

Construction begins on Coore & Crenshaw’s first Alabama design

Construction has started on a new Coore & Crenshaw golf course that will be the centrepiece of The Heritage luxury residential development at Lake Martin in Alabama.

The 1,500-acre project by developer Russell Lands – owner-operator of Willow Point Golf and Country Club in Alabama – will be built at Wicker Point, a strip of land next to Russell Forest and Lake Martin.

Coore & Crenshaw’s design, the firm’s first in the state, will sit on 250 acres and will incorporate the land’s natural contours and elevation changes and indigenous hardwoods. Six greens are located on the shore of Lake Martin.

“During the design process, we wanted to draw out the beauty of the natural environment by providing an atmosphere that showcases the lake and the hills in the heart of Alabama,” said Ben Crenshaw. “Our approach honours the Russell legacy to the area to love and preserve the land, which became the driving factor in the golf course design.”

The front nine will be set among pines and creeks, while vistas of Lake Martin will feature throughout the back nine.

“The new Russell Lands golf course will be a showcase of the area’s natural beauty and a first in the region,” said Bill Coore. “True to our brand, our team has taken the utmost care in designing a golf course from what the land gives us. Players will have an experience that’s unique to Alabama.”

Watch: interviews with Coore, Crenshaw, Russell Lands chairman Ben Russell and vice president Roger Holliday.

Landscapes Unlimited has started construction of the golf course, with an opening anticipated for 2023.

“As a lake lover myself, I am thrilled to see the addition of a premier golf course to anchor this neighbourhood here at Lake Martin,” said Kay Ivey, governor of Alabama. “Not only will folks be able to enjoy being at the lake with family and friends, but they will soon be able to play a round of golf, too. Our golf fans will appreciate the top-of-the-line work, and I am glad to see this project adding to our already beloved Lake Martin. Alabama continues to be a great place to live, work and play.”

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  • Russell Lands
    Russell Lands

    Coore & Crenshaw has designed a new golf course on the shores of Lake Martin in Alabama

  • Russell Lands
    Russell Lands

    The course, the firm’s first in Alabama, will sit on 250 acres

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Russell Lands
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