Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw and their team had two aces in their sleeves when they took on the task of building a short course for Streamsong Resort. They had a sandy terrain to work on and were hired by a manager looking for something new. Perhaps very different.
The Chain’s quick-draining sand site – named after the giant drag chain used in the former life of the land as a part of a mining company for phosphate – offers the firm, bouncy surfaces that golfers enjoy. Sand is easy to shape into interesting shapes.
Crenshaw, a two-time Masters champion who built some of the best modern golf courses in the world with Coore over 40 years ago, said that sand was a blessing. You’re way ahead in the game if you have sand.
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They were also free to use their imaginations, as they had been tasked with creating a short course. The architects didn’t have to worry about protecting par or ensuring resort golfers were able to navigate a full-size, traditional layout without losing many balls. KemperSports, which has since purchased the resort from Mosiac Company acquired Streamsong and gave architects free rein to create holes however they wished, as long as golfers enjoyed something new and exciting.
The Chain will be available for limited preview on Dec. 1, and the layout, which includes 19 holes, 3,000 yards, will open in full early 2024. It is a par-3 layout with a scorecard that has holes from 109-293 yards. However, there are no formal tee marks. This allows guests to choose their distances to play the hole.
Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw and others have designed some of the finest short courses in the world. (Courtesy Streamsong).
Two loops are available, one with six holes and the other with thirteen. They can be played separately or together. The Bucket is a 2.5-acre, 100-yard-long putting course. It can easily accommodate two or three putting courses. A food truck will serve up quick and creative meals, as well as plenty of cool beverages. This will enhance what many will consider to be the best place on the property to enjoy the sunset.
The layout is non-traditional, and very different from the three highly-ranked 18-hole golf courses at the resort – the Red, Blue, and Black. Coore and Crenshaw designed the Red over a decade before, Tom Doak the Blue, and Gil Hanse the Black. This non-traditional theme was liberating in many ways.
We’ve been hearing for years that you can’t do this. This will not be accepted. It’s just too radical. Coore said, “That’s too radical.” Coore recently visited The Chain in order to observe how the grass had grown. With a par-3, you can dispense with this a bit. It gives you the freedom to work if you are in our profession.
The Chain’s greens are sized to fit shorter holes and often have more challenging slopes and runoffs. The Chain’s greens feature a variety steep false fronts as well as backstops and levels that are not typical of a Coore & Crenshaw layout. No. There is a bunker in the middle of No. There’s a bunker in the middle of No.
There are some interesting holes, but most people would point out (No. Coore explained that the hole is 11 because it’s situated over a beautiful water body. “It was a flat area of land out there. We just dug a hole and mined the sand from it. It is just one of these holes. If it weren’t for the support and blessing of the owner group, it would not be there, because for many people it was too radical. …
“I think we could do things differently with a shorter golf course. You can be more aggressive on the greens with shorter shots. You can do some things in a smaller scale but with more risk. We love it.”
Coore Crenshaw has built many short courses, but the most famous is Bandon Preserve in Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. Coore explained that they tried to create shots which grew in interest as soon as the ball started rolling. The design team spent years trying to convince clubs and resorts that adding short courses would be a fun alternative for guests and members. Recent years have seen the efforts pay off, with a new type of non-traditional course.
“We have had the opportunity to work at some very interesting locations for short courses. Whether it’s the Preserve in Bandon, the Sandbox in Sand Valley, or Bougle Run Barnbougle Australia. It’s really cool. You can certainly give it a unique personality. Here, you’ll see it.
When you hit a shot and get it to the ground, watch the ball trudge around. You’ll think, “Oh my god, look over here, it’s right on the green!” The Preserve has a lot of potential. The Sandbox is very good. Bougle Run, on the other hand, is pretty good. “I personally believe this has the potential to fall into that category.”
