While the club’s membership probably didn’t enjoy the criticism, Kokrak’s comments brought to light a very real problem that had been recognized but not been corrected: At least three of the greens designed by Ross in 1921 had slopes that were too severe for modern grasses, mowing techniques and desired green speeds.
Approach shots would stop briefly and then retreat and roll off the green. Putts would often roll back toward a golfer and off the green. It was frustrating to anyone who played.
For a long time the Springfield greenskeepers were limited in the pin positions they could use on those holes, and it was not uncommon for them to double-cut the other surfaces with the mowers while single-cutting those three.
All of that changed last fall when the club had three of its most severe greens — Nos. 4, 8 and 18 — rebuilt as part of a restoration that included the remodeling of tees and 45 greenside bunkers under the direction of Forse Design, Inc., a Pennsylvania firm that specializes in restoring classic courses.
“We wanted to get the golf course back to the way Donald Ross intended it to play in 1921,” green superintendent Chad Dorrell said.
Springfield Country Club is hosting a U.S. Open Sectional qualifier on Monday, June 4, and any contestants who played in the 2011 sectional will be in for a pleasant surprise when they play their practice rounds this week.
The putting surface was carefully stripped off the three targeted greens and stored in October. The sub-surface was altered to reduce the severity of the slopes and make them similar to the other 15 greens. The bunkers were restored to their original depth and shape. As a result, some are much deeper. Drainage and liners were installed, and 75 tons of sand were brought in to make the bunkers more consistent.
There was some tree removal and widening of fairways that had narrowed over time.
The project was completed on Nov. 23. Thanks to the mild winter and spring, the grasses have grown so well that it’s difficult to see where areas have been sodded. The rebuilt greens, of course, have the same grass that was on them.
Walnut Grove wins Cup from Dayton
Three years ago, members of the Walnut Grove and Dayton country clubs initiated an annual Ryder Cup-type competition between them, and Walnut Grove won the first one with the late Bill Ferneding of Washington Twp. making the final stroke.
Ferneding died in April 2011 at the age of 59, and it was decided that future competitions would be called the Ferneding Cup Matches and the winners would receive the Bill Ferneding Cup.
The fourth match was held recently, and Walnut Grove won, 23.5-12.5, to take a 3-1 lead in the series.
Walnut Grove was represented by John Alley, Phil Aydelott, Gary Berry, Curt Cranmer, Bob Freund, Hector Gonzalez, John Gruenwald, Waymon Johnson, Jeff Kuske, Sam Morton, Gary Sult and Steve Whitehead.
The Dayton Country Club team consisted of: Bill Cass, Marty Leboeuf, Nick Melluzzo, Seb Melluzzo, Ben Miller, Jim Murphy, Dan Pascoe, Don Reynolds, Doug Stolle, Randy Stump, Ronnie Stump and John Tate.
About the Author