17 minute read
MOLORI UNPLUGGED
By John Molori
The International - Bolton, Massachusetts
Renovation with an Eye on Tradition at The Oaks Course
LIKE A PHOENIX RISING from the ashes or Lazarus rolling back the stone, The International Golf Club in Bolton, MA and its revered Oaks Course have come back from the dead, looking to once again set the standard for New England golf courses.
In 2020, The International filed for bankruptcy citing a glutted golf marketplace, declining memberships, and the COVID-19 pandemic. It was eventually purchased by Escalante, a boutique owner and operator of numerous golf properties across the United States.
Over the past few months, the Oaks Course and practice facility have undergone sublime makeovers – changes that have been made with one prime priority: golf.
“We are a golf club, not a country club,” says Tripp Davis—Architect Steve Brennan, General Manager of The International “Our overall goal was to create a purity of golf. We really wanted to maintain the culture of the Oaks Course with this renovation.”
Jody Tavarez, Director of Agronomy at Escalante Golf, is pleased with the results of the renovation. “It exceeded every goal we had in mind for the Oaks Course - innovative in design approach but remaining true to the traditional style of golf course architecture.
“Bunker design requires a specific artistic ability in order to make them feel like they’ve always been there, while improving playability and maintainability. The new bunkers on the Oaks Course achieve exactly that and are some of the best I have ever seen. Tripp and his team are humble and easy to work with.”
Tripp is Tripp Davis, the true star of the Oaks Course renovation. Tripp Davis and Associates embarked on an architectural journey and took the good folks at the International with him. As Brennan states, “We didn’t look to Tripp for confirmation of our goals. We looked to him to lead us down a path. He is extremely knowledgeable and very good at what he does.”
From bowled out bunkers to laser leveled tees, golfers can look forward to some significant changes on the Oaks Course. Davis relates, “New tees are going to give the players more options to find a tee they are comfortable with, and the new bunkers are geared more towards being in play for better players. “We have worked to give the average player more options to avoid trouble, but it’s still very much a course where the better players will have to be on their game to play well.” Davis had no trouble balancing modernization with tradition. He relates, “The Oaks is not that old of a course, so the modernization was subtle. What we have done is more profound in the structure of tees and bunkers - how they are built and can be maintained. “The changes are about helping the course appeal to a broader audience with a more interesting look and more varied playability. There is an element of modernization just to account for the length most better players have gained. On this course, that was part fairway bunker placement, part adding some tees, and part enhancing the strictness of angles into greens.”
Like Davis, Brennan eschews the word modernization. “I actually don’t like that term,” says Brennan. “This course is
not about flowers and signage. Our tee markers are numbered 1,2,3,4. We want to maintain our traditional golf culture and have it feed the renovation.”
Davis puts the modernization question into perspective. “Modernizing is mainly about the structure of things like bunkers, tees, greens, and drainage, so they are capable of being maintained to modern expectations.
“Relative to play, the game has changed so there is more disparity between your lower handicap players and the higher handicap players. In this way, modernization focuses on more strategic challenges for the better player in the way they play, and more playability and fun for your average to higher handicap players.”
Indeed, Davis’s creativity has created a course that values both length and precision – one that is tailored to every aspect of every golfer’s game. “We did add some tees for the lower handicap players,” says Davis. “We also added tees for shorter players and took out some bunkers that mainly impacted the average to higher handicap player.”
In addition to the Oaks Course, Brennan relates that there are also current and upcoming renovations on the Pines Course, Clubhouse, and Lodge. Davis talks about upgrades at The International’s practice facility. “We improved the target greens and gave the short game area more variety in the shots that can be practiced.”
Davis offers insight on the architecture of the Oaks Course and how it seamlessly meshes with its bucolic surroundings. “We tried to make the bunkers better fit the style of the land and make the course more strategic with bunker and tee placement. It is a challenging course, but it offers options to play more conservatively.
There are some holes with mostly oaks, holes that are in the Pine Barren eco system that runs through the site, and holes that flow along beautiful terrain. There is also a variety between flatter holes and hilly holes. The Oaks Course really offers some dramatic views. It’s beautiful.” .
John Molori is an award-winning author and columnist for numerous publications. Like him on Facebook at John Molori, Twitter @MoloriMedia. Email molorimedia@gmail.com.
ROSS’S RULES
By Jack Ross
USGA and R&A Finalize Simplified Rules of Amateur Status
THERE WAS A TIME when the distinction between “amateur” and “professional” golfers was fairly clear. Bobby Jones, acknowledged as the greatest amateur golfer in history, won the Grand Slam in 1930 but never turned pro and instead pursued a career in law. Some of his contemporaries (Ben Hogan, Gene Sarazen, and Byron Nelson) followed the then traditional professional golf path—earning their livelihoods as club professionals giving lessons and selling clubs while making modest money on the side on the early professional tour.
But golf has changed, and over time some of the traditional distinctions between professionals and amateurs became more difficult to define and enforce. Elite amateurs did not always know when the receipt of reimbursements for expenses or competing for prizes might cross the line into “professional golfer” status. And in the new world of social media, restrictions on golfers’ use of their names, images, and likenesses (NILs) became problematic. Meanwhile, it was important that club golf competition—the essence of amateur golf—be preserved.
So in 2017, the USGA and the R&A undertook a modernization of the Rules of Amateur Status. The modernization initiative had three main goals: to ensure that the rules (1) are in the best interests of the game; (2) reflect the modern game; and (3) are easily understood and applied. After reviewing comments on proposed rules issued last March, the ruling bodies of golf recently finalized new Rules of Am-
ateur Status that will take effect January 1, 2022. In an interview with Northeast Golf, Craig Winter, USGA senior director, Rules of Golf and Amateur Status, explained that “our impetus for this entire project was to make sure the rules reflected how the modern game is played.” Winter noted that while elite amateurs will find the new rules simpler and less restrictive, the vast majority of amateur golfers who play at the club level won’t see any changes. He emphasized a commitment to preserve and “celebrate” club golf, and explained that Greg Winter: USGA Senior Director, Rules of Golf & Amateur Status the new rules “carry that culture forward.” Generally, the new rules remove many of the restrictions that previously applied to amateur golfers, while ensuring that the integrity of the game is protected by limiting the form and value of prizes an amateur golfer may accept. The rules eliminate restrictions on expense reimbursements, sponsorships, and advertising. And elite amateur golfers will now be free to monetize their NILs (a development that parallels the NCAA’s loosening of such restrictions for college athletes). Winter noted that all options were on the table, including adopting the concept of “open golf” with no distinction between amateurs and professionals. However, he stressed that feedback from clubs and state golf associations confirmed the importance of amateurism (which is buttressed by the handicap system). “Golfers cherish the club golf tradition,” Winter noted. “These rules are in part a celebration
of club golf but also help the golfer who is trying to take the next step to professional golf.”
Under the new rules, amateur status will be lost if a golfer accepts any prize with a value exceeding $1,000. In competitions based on handicaps, the receipt of prize money will result in the loss of amateur status. Amateur status will also be lost if a golfer “plays in a golf competition as a professional,” accepts compensation for giving instruction (with some exceptions), is employed as a golf club or driving range professional, or holds membership in an association of professional golfers. Once lost, amateur status may be reinstated. The new rules also clarify that the restrictions on prizes apply only to “tee-to-hole” competitions played on a golf course or on a simulator, but not to skills competitions such as long-drive, target, or putting competitions.
Winter stressed that the elimination of restrictions on expense reimbursements and sponsorships will enable local communities and business to support developing golfers. “This is about being inclusive and bringing a new face to the game. This is about local communities getting behind local golfers and allowing them to play at the next level. It’s about the democratization of golf.”
So next year, if you are an elite amateur travelling to competitions, you won’t need to worry about receiving expense reimbursements or sponsorships. But if you accept an $1,100 set of clubs as a prize in a competition at your club, you’ll lose your amateur status. Of course, you are always free to trade the clubs for a less valuable prize..
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THE OWL’S NEST RESORT
Owl’s Nest Resort Community
Thornton, New Hampshire
THERE ARE FEW PLACES anywhere in the Northeast that offer unprecedented Jack Nicklaus designed golf, four-season vacationing and living, and amenities and recreational opportunities in every month of the year. Surrounded by the White Mountains and ski havens in the winter, Owl’s Nest is the fastest growing resort in New England and has been delighting golfers for over 20 years. Over the next year, the expansion will include the grand opening of a brand new beach and pool complex, Phase 1 of the Hotel Village, which will be inclusive of 13 new lodging units with 3 suites each along the lake, 4 model homes for real estate sale in the new North Lake development, as well as a LakeHouse Venue with the ability to host upwards of 500 people. Furthermore, the expansion will include a new Boathouse Venue with a bar and grill overlooking the pool and beach, a 10-mile paved loop for jogging, biking, snowshoeing and crosscountry skiing, a year-round pool with a new food and beverage pavilion to host concerts. Energy efficient, prefab modern mountain cabins are planned as well as larger single-family homes.
The Community
The master plan organizes the homes around communal outdoor spaces all connected by multi-use trails. Each house is nestled perfectly throughout the resort, giving you spectacular views of the White Mountains. You will be secluded in your own little sanctuary without being reclusive and still being able to enjoy all the amenities of resort life. Homes range from cozy one-bedroom cottages to custom built larger seasonal or year-round residences within the community. Living in the White Mountains is always spectacular, but the proximity of the Owl’s Nest gives you full access to all White Mountain’s major attractions and tourist areas with a
THE OWL’S NEST RESORT
quiet private resort community of your own at your front door. The area is simply one of the most pristine regions in the Northeast.
The Golf Club
Owl’s Nest Golf Club was ranked #6 Best Nicklaus-Designed course by value worldwide by NBC Golf Pass which takes into account 400+ Nicklaus Design courses in 40 states and 45 countries throughout the world. Owl’s Nest features New Hampshire’s only Nicklaus-Designed course which builds on a challenging but playable track for players of all levels. This eighteen-hole course boasts the ultimate golf experience, extraordinary scenic views, an award-winning restaurant, and a luxury home community. Owl’s Nest is an ideal venue for weddings and events, offering on-site catering and accommodations. Here, visitors can enjoy scenic inspired living that can only be found in the White Mountains.
Spectacular White Mountain Homes
Cradled by the majestic White Mountains and surrounded by hardwood forests that put each season’s beauty on display, our homes offer authentic mountain charm with the comfort of modern efficiencies. Each one is secluded but not reclusive and is located just two hours north of Boston. At Owl’s Nest, the weekend escape is never more than a short drive away.
Limitless Four-Season Amenities & Activities
Experience both indoor and outdoor activities. Whether you want to relax or play, “boredom” doesn’t exist in the Owl’s Nest vocabulary. Our homes are for the young, the old(er), and the young at heart. Age 1 or 91 — the only thing required is an
inquisitive mind and a continued search for the good life.… and the best is yet to come. With restaurants, amenities and an Inn in the works, now is the perfect time to join the community and watch it blossom.
General Manager Brad McCoil, said, “The expansion of Owl’s Nest will not only allow people to experience the getaway of a lifetime, but will also provide various real estate opportunities to own a vacation home in such an exciting and up-and-coming location. Owl’s Nest’s expansion is planned to continue into 2022 and 2023, and will include 2 luxury apartment buildings, the “Lakeside Lodge” with 36 hotel room suites with private balconies, Phase 2 of the Hotel Village which will include standalone units and boutique hotels with a brand-new spa and fitness facility as well as lifestyleinspired upscale restaurant, and more”.
The Owl’s Nest Resort is located in New Hampshire’s White Mountains, less than two hours north of Boston and one hour from Manchester-Boston Regional Airport. The Nest is situated on 600+ acres with spectacular panoramic mountain and forest views.
For more information on Owl’s Nest Resort, please visit www.owlsnestresort.com
FASHION
Fresco Golf –
Accessories for the Enthusiast
When looking for luxury golf accessories look no further than Fresco Golf, makers of premium quality belts, travel bags, shoes and wallets.
Owner, Yulian Bardales describes Fresco’s product lines as custom made to order for those wanting the best in modern designs constructed from quality materials to the highest manufacturing standards. “I have been in the bespoke clothing business for many years,” he said. “With many of my clients being golf enthusiasts, I decided to create my own company offering casual luxury accessories aimed towards them.”
His track record is evident and in addition to sales made over the Internet at FrescoGolf.com and other sites he told me, “Fresco Golf has representatives in New York and Florida who
make visits to golf clubs and private clientele.”
What then makes this company standout in the crowded field of golf-oriented accessories? The answer is simple as shown by their catalog on FrescoGolf.com. Fresco’s aim is to attract the golf enthusiast wanting the absolute best, someone not satisfied with the typical cookie-cutter-look belts or shoes.
Fresco’s signature Alligator Skin belt ($495.00) comes in a matte or glossy finish plus there is a hand painted version for $100 additional. Each is made to order after an accurate to the fraction of an inch measurement of the wearer’s waist plus they offer a choice of belts in python, caiman, ostrich and several other leathers and a cotton stretch model selling for $125.
The travel bags are also special and we like the Marco Polo Club bag of vegetable tanned leather made by hand in Florence, Italy. It is a convenient size for weekend travel with a lined interior, double handles and a shoulder strap priced at $625. Fresco’s shoe lineup includes sneakers, spikeless and plastic cleated models which are also made to order in Florence from custom leathers. To ensure each wearer receives a precise fit providing the maximum comfort Fresco measures each foot individually with their 3D foot scanner. He added in that in addition to Internet sales, “We sell in person at trunk shows, private events and golf tournaments. Our products are on display for purchase at country club pro shops. We measure clients in person at these shows and events, and we train employees at golf clubs on how to properly measure belts and provide them the tools.”
A large part of Fresco’s marketing plan is event-specific and corporate gifting that Bardales pointed out, “…clients have the ability to customize products to their liking. Clients may contact us with whatever modifications they want. Fresco Golf offers event and corporate gifting programs as well. We have a reputation for providing handcrafted leather belts as premium gifts for corporations.” Fresco Golf’s ultra-premium selection of products may not be for everyone but for golf enthusiasts looking for unique styling and outstanding craftmanship their shoes, belts and other items are a must-have.
Shop Your Style at www.FrescoGolf.com
