Taconic Golf Club

Master Plan Proposal

Project Summary

1. Greens:

A. Expand greens closer to original design, surfaces have gotten smaller over the years and interesting green contours are now rough. This has already been done on several greens on the golf course, most recently to #8 and 18 greens.

B. Remove the topdressing lip that has formed and causes a sharp transition from the green to the surrounding collar.

2. Tees:

A. Enlarge tees where possible to create more playing surface to better spread out wear.

B. Add distance to the back tees where possible to keep the course current with today’s golfing technology.

C. Rebuild forward tees as necessary to fully integrate them into the golf course instead of looking like afterthoughts.

D. Some type of work is planned for 14 gold tees, 10 blue tees, 9 white tees and 11 red tees.

3. Fairways:

A. Increase fairway acreage by both widening and lengthening where appropriate by about 10-15%. This includes widening the approach into the green with more fairway turf and less rough.

B. Bring the bunkering back into play by bringing the fairway turf closer to the hazard instead of having a rough buffer.

4. Bunkering:

A. Restore greenside bunkering to original design.

1. Remove the sand accumulation around the bunkers (more than 18” in spots) to make the bunkers play as originally designed

2. Install new subsurface drainage in all bunkers

3. Replace all of the sand with new sand to a uniform depth.

4. Regrass the bunker surrounds with Kentucky bluegrass sod.

B. Install fairway bunkering consistent with the Styles original plan, taking into consideration the changes in the game.

C. Remove “add on” fairway bunkers that were installed at some point after the original design, and don’t match the original design philosophy and character.

5. Trees:

A. Remove trees as necessary to accomplish the following:

1. Provide the best growing conditions for fine turf areas.

2. Create space to open fairway widths closer to original design.

3. Create recovery shot potential with poorly hit shots.

4. Restore vistas of the college campus, mountains and throughout the golf course.

5. Open up specimen hardwood trees that have been overtaken by less desirable evergreens.

6. Relocate smaller trees that may have some benefit but are currently planted in the wrong location.

6. Cart Paths:

A. Relocate cart paths so they are visually less obtrusive to the golf hole.

B. Resurface cart paths with a more permanent surface to reduce/eliminate maintenance.

7. Drainage:

A. Upgrade existing main line drainage that was installed when the course was built.

B. Install new sub-surface drainage where needed.

8. Miscellaneous:

A. Dredge existing irrigation pond to remove any silt that has accumulated where the water is withdrawn for irrigation.

B. Stabilize the stream bank to keep erosion from occurring and filling in the pond.

C. Regrade and move the fourth fairway to allow for positive surface drainage and bring the stream more into play according to the original design.

D. Create true fescue areas for added contrast and reduced maintenance. This would also restore a classical feature of the golf course that is no longer part of the golf course.