Zinkand Golf Design, led by golf course architect David Zinkand, has completed The Reversible, a distinctive new golf course at Ohio’s Medina Country Club.
As its name implies, The Reversible features two nine-hole loops that can be played in opposite directions — one clockwise (Purple) and the other counterclockwise (Green) — and occupies the footprint of the club’s former nine-hole course. Each par-31 routing begins with a downhill par-3 to one of two large double greens. They are followed by a compelling collection of par 3s and 4s draped across gently rolling terrain before returning back to par 3s with double greens for the finish.
The Reversible challenges skilled players with strategic bunkering and multiple routes to hole locations, demanding careful decisions both off the tee and approaching the green. At the same time, its ample width provides plenty of room for less experienced golfers to steer clear of trouble. Other course features include generous green surrounds and rugged bunkering with attractive fescue brows. Pure Eclipse bentgrass greens and fairways, combined with an emphasis on maximizing course set-up flexibility throughout the design/build process, will set the baseline for exceptional conditioning and thought-provoking play. Zinkand’s work also emphasized the golf course looking and feeling like its bucolic setting. This principle of “genius loci” — or sense of place — is a key pillar of his design philosophy.
“The land has just enough movement to make it ideal for reversible golf,” said Zinkand, a long-time associate for Coore & Crenshaw before beginning his own design business. “It allowed us to be bold and offer plenty of challenges for players who’re eager to embrace risk in pursuit of a big reward, while also possessing a subtlety that invites beginners to identify more conservative avenues to the hole.”
Work on The Reversible began in summer 2024, with most of the earthwork completed by autumn. It is part of a Zinkand-led, multi-phase master plan at Medina, which is located about 35 miles south of downtown Cleveland. The opening of The Reversible follows a complete overhaul of the club’s practice facilities, including the addition of a state-of-the-art indoor/outdoor teaching academy. Construction of a new clubhouse is underway; once completed, attention will turn to a project that will transform Medina’s existing 18-hole course.
“Working with Dave is a pleasure, and he’s such a genius at what he does,” said Bill Cosgrove, the owner of Medina Country Club since 2022. “His vision for The Reversible grabbed me right from the start and our members can’t be any more excited about the golf course. Dave’s an incredible partner and we feel very fortunate to have him leading the multi-year transformation of the Medina golf experience.”
THE SOCIAL ASPECT
Our new 9-hole short course at The Stanwich Club is all grassed and now just waiting for the roughs to establish ahead of a 2026 opening. Played over roughly 16 acres, the steep ground makes for some spectacular shots with holes playing anywhere from 80 yards to 150 yards. pic.twitter.com/2ya2wnmnt1
— OCM Golf (@OCMGolf) October 21, 2025
1960s DESIGN GETS COMPLETE RENOVATION
Jeff Lawrence has completed the renovation of Pine Lake Country Club in Charlotte, N.C. Located between the towns of Matthews and Mint Hill, 18 miles southeast of Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Pine Lake dates to the 1960s, with its first nine designed by Gene Hamm and the second nine by Porter Gibson. John LaFoy did an extensive renovation in 1988, but the course has remained mostly untouched until now.
Lawrence, a former Tom Fazio associate, submitted a masterplan that was approved in May 2022 which primarily focused on rebuilding tee boxes, bunkers, greens and the irrigation system. “Once the design documents were completed, a thorough review process was undertaken, including presentations, panel discussions and Q&A sessions, followed by a vote by the club’s membership,” Lawrence told GolfCourseArchitecture.net. “I was thrilled by the club’s openness to my recommendations and the enthusiastic embrace of the vision laid out by the masterplan. The club made the strategic decision to complete the renovation in one phase for greater efficiency and less long-term impacts to members.”
Among the work done were redesigning green complexes, renovations to the teeing grounds and bunkers, clearing trees and new drainage and irrigation. Contractor Aspen Golf executed the work, with the project managed by Mazzella Partnership.
“The backbone of the golf course was already solid—it simply needed more refined and exciting updates to key features and the redesign of a par-3 hole that bordered the property line,” said Lawrence. “Several fairway bunkers were repositioned to introduce a more strategic challenge, particularly for better players. New tees were added to extend the course’s overall length, while many existing tees were enlarged to reduce wear and tear, and create greater yardage variance between tee markers. It will be interesting to see whether the course ultimately plays easier or harder, but regardless of how it measures out, the overall golf experience at Pine Lake Country Club has been significantly improved.”
Greens that were formerly bentgrass have been replaced with TifEagle Bermuda and have been expanded marginally. “They now feature significantly more variety in both the putting surfaces and surrounding features,” said Lawrence. “This allows for a wider range of strategic pin placements and introduces engaging elements around the greens, offering a fresh, refined golf experience that appeals to players of all skill levels. The green surfaces themselves remain generally subtle, with well-defined pinnable areas that create strategic depth and nuances.”
Pine Lake also saw every bunker redesigned and rebuilt with liner from Better Billy Bunker and G-Angle sand from Golf Agronomics. “The bunker style has been refined to improve visual awareness and maximize strategic value,” said Lawrence. “The bunkering now has a creative mix of shapes, sizes, depths and locations—bringing both aesthetic appeal and strategic challenge. Additionally, we have introduced low-mow collection areas around many greens to enhance visual interest and expand shot-making options. The updated green complexes, bold bunkering and thoughtfully designed collection areas will deliver a dynamic and reimagined golf experience for the membership.”
Tree-clearing across the tract has been effected to enhance air flow, diminish shaded areas and open up long-range vistas. “The golf course remains in its parkland-type setting, but a thoughtful and much needed tree removal program has been very impactful on the overall look and conditioning of the golf course,” said Lawrence. “My goal was to preserve the integrity of the original design while elevating the overall golf experience. The improvements have made a meaningful impact on the course’s visual aesthetics, playability, maintainability, strategic interest, and overall enjoyment.”
PROGRESS MADE ON GUYANA PROJECT
The summer of 2025 saw progress on a new golf course in Guyana—anticipated to be the first championship course in the country. Located near the Guyana’s capital city of Georgetown, the course is being designed by Canadian architect Jason Miller, who is fulfilling the vision of the DaSilvas, a Canada-based Guyanese family.
“The dream is to return full time to Guyana and build an 18-hole golf course that the entire country, locals, international workers and tourists can play,” Miller told GolfCourseArchitecture.net. “A clubhouse will accompany this development, which will cater for events and tournaments.”
The new facility has the backing of the Guyanese government, in furtherance of a plan to diversify its economy. The creation of a new road will provide ready access from Georgetown to the club, which is situated near Cheddi Jagan International Airport.
“The vision for the site, which was an old sand pit weathered by rain and wind, is to soften the outer steeper banks and utilize these higher elevations for a series of tee decks and unique greens complexes that play in and out of the valley zone,” said Miller. “Fairways will roll and tumble throughout the property, separated by tree groupings or sandy wastes zones. These outer slopes will provide great views across the golf course, from tees and greens, as well as the clubhouse.
“Timehri Sands is a throwback to the sand-based golf courses of the past and, as we have recently seen throughout the world, a new Golden Age of golf design on sandy sites. The site’s undulations will provide a plethora of lies that will challenge both the ground game, as well as provide the opportunity for an aerial attack on the greens. Angles into the greens will be an important consideration for the low handicap golfers, in order to set up their green strategy and score well.”
Miller anticipates shaping to be completed by year-end, with seeding to commence in 2026. The turf of choice will be Pure Dynasty paspalum. “We chose Pure Dynasty due to its ability to handle the sub-tropical location, sandy soil, humidity, warm temperatures and rainy periods,” said Miller. “It has a proven track record in these zones. Its upright cut helps to keep the ball up and to make life easier for beginners. It is a warm-season grass and among its benefits, it is salt and wear tolerant, has minimal thatch issues and is easy to maintain.”
Phase 2 of the project will add nine additional holes. Upon completion, the 18-hole course is expected to measure 6,700 yards from the back tees, 4,000 from up front. Amply wide fairways will facilitate strategic angles.
“Timehri Sands will be challenging, with stunning views and strategy,” said Miller. “I can foresee the oil patch crews in the local area playing the course in between long stints on the rig, as well as those visiting on business, especially as the airport is only a mile or so away. The country is also seeing a developing and expanding middle class that will have more leisure time, and golf should be well positioned to solicit more local play, too. We hope both the course and the proposed practice facilities will allow locals to learn the game and attract schools, sports groups and international travelers alike.”
