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

Lester George pays tribute to Macdonald and Raynor for new design

Construction is under way on a new golf course, designed by Lester George, for the new Contentment club in Traphill, North Carolina.

George’s design is inspired by the work of C. B. Macdonald and Seth Raynor, with each of the eighteen holes based on one of the Golden Age duo’s template designs.

The course begins with a par-five Maiden hole and includes Biarritz, Redan, Punchbowl, Double Plateau, Road holes. The full routing, with hole commentary by George, can be viewed on the club’s website.

The course will be part of an 800-acre private destination in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains that will also include cottages and lodging for members and their families, as well as small groups. There will be no home sites, with Contentment owner Curt Sidden wanting to preserve the rural site that has been in his family for three generations.

“Contentment is a tribute to my grandparents with whom I spent time here as a boy,” said Sidden. “My family showed me the benefits of a quiet, uncomplaining and satisfied mind, and we hope Contentment is a true, tranquil haven for the body, mind and soul.”

A project development group from construction firm Landscapes Unlimited has overseen all aspects of site planning, design and engineering, permitting, contractor selection, project administration and budget planning. The company will build the 18-hole golf course and direct development of the clubhouse and amenities.

Landscapes Golf Management is undertaking membership strategies, business and operational planning, pre-opening activities and will assist with the course grow-in and grand opening.

“The property on which Contentment sits is one of most relaxing, rejuvenating and overall special topographies in our company’s history,” said Jack Morgan, senior vice president of Landscapes Unlimited’s project development group. “No wonder those looking to dodge the hustle-and-bustle are joining Contentment before the first shovel hits the ground.”

Contentment is expected to open on 25 September 2025, 100 years to the day since the wedding of Sidden’s grandparents.

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Slideshow HTML
  • Contentment
    George Golf Design

    Lester George’s routing for the new Contentment club in North Carolina is inspired by the work of Macdonald and Raynor

  • Contentment
    Landscapes Unlimited

    The course will be part of an 800-acre private destination in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains

  • Contentment
    Landscapes Unlimited

    The eighth and ninth holes are based on Valley and Alps templates

  • Contentment
    Landscapes Unlimited

    Landscapes Unlimited is handling construction, with the aim of opening the course in September 2025

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George Golf Design
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