FORTWORTH, Texas – Before renowned golf course architect Gil Hanse signed a contract to oversee a $20 million renovation of Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Ryan Palmer, a longtime Colonial Country Club member, sat down with Hanse and worked out some details.
Players are usually advisors for these projects. But according to Jim Whitten of the Charles Schwab challenge tournament, this was a more polite discussion than a strategy session. Palmer and his caddie James Edmondson who has won five Colonial club championships, discussed some holes that they didn’t like.
“That was the turning point.” Whitten was driving the course in his Tartan members coat on Friday. This was a venting of grievances over some of his actions across the country. Ryan asked at one point: “Tell me what happened on 17 in TPC Boston.” Tell me your explanation, what you did on that green. I hated that green. Gil explained to James why he had done some of the things, and they both said, “OK, now I understand.” And Gil then explained what he was trying to achieve at the club.
Hanse signed the paperwork shortly after the meeting, about a month ago. The club was opened in 1936 by Texas’ John Bredemus, Oklahoma’s Perry Maxwell and was designed by them. This course is ranked 85th in Golfweek’s Best Classic Courses for 2022.
More: Golfweek’s Best 2022 Top public and private golf courses in Texas
Hanse organized a series of meetings open to all club members so they could critique the plan and show their support for the project.
After the meetings in which Palmer and Edmondson participated, 85 percent voted for the plan, despite the high price.
Whitten stated that it is impossible to get 85 percent people to vote on black and white. We were delighted with the support.
Palmer participated in the final walkthrough with Hanse and Tour officials ahead of this week’s tournament. The four-time PGA Tour champion said that the final result will shine on a course which has been a stern challenge for Tour players over decades.
Palmer declared, “It will be spectacular.” “We put our little stamp, if you will, on being a Tour Player. I was able talk about the different shots that we wanted to see and what we didn’t want to do on the golf course.
The plans will be incredible. After all is said and done, this will easily be the best course in town, I believe. This course is a great example of how it can compete with the best in the world. “I think it will get harder for us and I’m excited about the membership and the city of Fort Worth.”
Ryan Palmer hits a shot off the first tee at Colonial Country Club during the first round 2020 Charles Schwab Challenge Golf Tournament. Palmer was the very first professional golfer to play. Raymond Carlin III – USA TODAY Sports
Renovating your home is a must
The redesign was not primarily to add length, even though the course is one of the shortest on the PGA Tour. Whitten, a Colonial member for over 31 years, says that this wasn’t on Hanse’s task list.
We had drainage and irrigation issues. Depending on how hot the summer was, our greens were stressed. They are 30+ years old, and we had to do layer upon layer of fixing and sanding. When you do this, you create an area which holds moisture, and that is not good for the green. It needs to be able to move in and out. This golf course had not been inspected in years.
Many greens have not been touched in decades. Plans call for a hydronic system to be installed about a foot beneath the putting surface. This will circulate hot or cold water and change the temperature of soil.
Hanse was able to work wonders in some areas, while Colonial members stayed with bentgrass.
Positive response from players
Jordan Spieth is one of those who are eager to see the 2024 edition. As soon as the winner of Sunday’s tournament is announced, shovels will be used to begin the renovation.
I always wondered what you were going to do with courses like these, Hilton Head. These classic courses that have stood the test of time. Spieth stated, “I think everyone’s initial reaction is that.” Then I saw the holes and thought, “Wow, this is really, really cool.” It seems to maintain the Colonial character while adding some excitement in some of the holes that could be adjusted.
Jordan Spieth hits his shot on the third tee in the third round at the 2020 Charles Schwab Challenge Golf Tournament. Raymond Carlin III – USA TODAY Sports
“We’re going to change a few tee-lines so that, instead of seeing a lot of straight shots, you can see the ball more working into the fairway.” I don’t know how much information is available, but the idea to flip the nines, and turn the 8th into the 17th might be the most significant change I’ve seen. It seems like a good par 3 that would bring the creek and river into play. So I’m always in favor of that.”
Spieth noted that a recent Tour event highlighted what can be achieved when an historic track is renovated while keeping in mind history and the original designer’s intent.
“Last Week at Oak Hill, you saw a renovation done very well, and it was highly regarded both by critics and players,” said Spieth. Spieth has had a lot of success at Charles Schwab including winning the 2016 event. “Change can be good, but it is not always necessary. Gil will be able to maintain the integrity of this building while bringing in more character and modernization.
