Dye Designs Group (DDG) has begun a project to update all 18 greens at South Korea’s Woo Jeong Hills Country Club.
Created by Kolon Industries, one of the country’s leading textile and chemical manufacturers, Woo Jeong Hills was originally designed by the late Perry Dye and opened in 1992. It is regarded as a top course in South Korea, as evidenced by Golf Digest previously ranking it among the World’s Greatest 100 Courses and its role as long-time host of the Kolon Korea Open. Woo Jeong Hills is set amid mountainous terrain and noted for many Dye-design hallmarks, including challenging bunkers and strategically placed water hazards.
DDG’s mother-son tandem of Cynthia Dye McGarey and Matt McGarey has been tasked with redesigning and then shaping the course’s 18 greens, plus two practice greens. Construction began in late December and is expected to be completed by the end of March.
"It’s been more than 30 years since Woo Jeong Hills opened, so updating the size, contouring and drainage of its greens is important to ensure it remains among Asia’s best," Cynthia Dye McGarey said. "This project is especially meaningful to us given we’re refreshing my cousin Perry’s first golf course design in South Korea, a country he enjoyed and where he did so much great work."
"We have all worked very hard to ensure the long-term viability of our championship golf course," said Jongyoon Lee, president of Woo Jeong Hills.
The work is scheduled to be finished in time for member play later this spring. In addition to hosting the Asian Tour's Korea Open since 2003, Woo Jeong Hills has serves as part of the British Open Qualifying Series. The respective winner and runner-up of the Korea Open have received exemptions into the Open Championship.
ESPLANADE AT ST. MARYS TAKING SHAPE
Construction has started at developer Taylor Morrison’s new Esplanade at St. Marys 18-hole championship course in St. Marys, Georgia — the first coastal city north of the Florida-Georga line.
Chris Wilczynski, of C.W. Golf Architecture, is responsible for the master plan, the course design and the creation of the practice facilities. This is Wilczynski’s sixth project for Morrison, a collaboration that began in 2013 with Esplanade Golf and Country Club at Lakewood Ranch in the Sarasota, Florida, area.
"I’m honored to be working with Taylor Morrison again on the evolution of their next Esplanade golf community," Wilczynski said. "Working as a team for over 10 years to develop new golf courses and help grow the game of golf has been a real source of inspiration for me."
The course at St. Marys will offer five sets of tees, measuring 3,805 yards from the front and 7,069 yards from the tips. Greens will be carpeted in TifEagle Bermudagrass and will range in size from 5,100 to 8,300 square feet. Grass-faced bunkers will dot the fairways and protect the greens.
"The Lowcountry site at St. Marys is replete with beautifully wooded wetlands and exposure to the St. Marys River, which defines the border between Florida and Georgia,” Wilczynski said. "Several of the holes rest adjacent to the wetland areas and existing pine trees, which will frame the holes and create a private enclave and sanctuary for golfers to employ.
“I’ve been designing golf courses for 30-plus years now and beauty, playability and thoughtful design elements and risk-reward holes for golfers of all ages and skill levels is always top of mind. The goal is to make every Esplanade course feel authentic, like a natural extension of its environment so every project has a distinct sense of place. Those characteristics will start to flourish in this next phase.”
GORDON G. LEWIS IS NOT DONE YET
Nearing his 75th birthday, Gordon G. Lewis has quietly amassed a roster of Florida course designs that now numbers more than 70. His latest creation in the Sunshine State is Calusa Country Club, a public-access layout developed by Lennar Homes and located in the Lakewood Ranch community near Sarasota.
The sprawling Lakewood Ranch development encompasses 36 villages, spans more than 33,000 acres and boasts 10 golf courses.
Lewis’ new design embraces the quintessential Florida traits, with gently rolling terrain, white sand bunkers and water on every hole. The par-72 layout sports TifEagle greens and Bimini bermuda fairways. The course will play as short as 3,798 yards or stretch to 7,404 yards from the back markers. An aqua practice range and a short game area are part of the current offerings. Eventually, Lewis is slated to add a 12-hole course and a putting course.
"We are beyond thrilled to announce the opening of Calusa Country Club, a stunning Gordy Lewis design,” said Dylan Wright, director of Calusa Country Club. “With his visionary touch, we’re bringing a one-of-a-kind golfing experience to life and we can’t wait to welcome guests.”
