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

David Savic completes tee project at Port Huron

Port Huron Golf Club in Michigan will officially unveil its new teeing areas later this month following a renovation project by David Savic of Emergency 9 Golf.

Savic and his colleague Sam Beckman have worked with the club since the early 2000s when they developed a master plan for the CH Alison-designed course as partners at Old Course Design. The pair also executed bunker and green renovations.

The latest project, completed in autumn 2021, re-evaluated tees on every hole. “Not only has the course been lengthened, but a variety of options have been opened up for players so they can choose the correct distance for their game,” said Beckman.

“One of the most striking parts of this tee renovation is how David, RGR Golf Services, superintendent John Nowakowski and golf professional Joel Peattie managed to keep the player connected with the outstanding naturalness of the property. By replacing most of the raised tee boxes with ones that sit naturally at grade, the tee shot encourages the player to look at the ground movement in front of them, and play through it, not necessarily over it. Far too often raised tee boxes remove the natural contouring of a property.”

Savic has also renovated the practice green, creating one space that flows from the pro shop to the first tee.

“Both David and I believe that our clients are our long-term partners,” said Beckman. “Partners build an environment of teamwork and trust, and we take the time to understand their financial situation, and help clubs see that not every project has to be a major disruption or capital expenditure.”

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  • Port Huron
    Emergency 9 Golf

    David Savic of Emergency 9 Golf has renovated every tee at Port Huron Golf Club in Michigan

  • Port Huron
    Emergency 9 Golf

    The project was completed in autumn 2021, with the club officially unveiling the tees later this month

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Emergency 9 Golf
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