Spring News from

George Golf Design

ASGCA Architects Make the Rounds at Ballyhack and Kinloch

At Kinloch: (left to right) First Row - Thad Layton, Lester George, Jeff Blume, George Clifton, Greg Martin; Second Row - Andy Staples, Ken Ezell, Rick Robbins, David Whelchel, John Sanford

Stuart Hackwell and Ian Williams of Rain Bird Corporation hosted a gathering of golf course architects during the week leading up to the annual ASGCA meeting. The group played Ballyhack Golf Club & Kinloch Golf Club, both iconic Lester George courses with diverse design elements. Friendships were forged and a great time was had by all - with the exception of a Patty Berg 4 iron, which was a casualty of inquisitive architects, cocktails, and a fire pit next to the 18th green at Ballyhack.

At Ballyhack: Golf Course Architect S'mores! (A Patty Berg 4 Iron)

Lester George Master Planning Golf Course for Fones Cliffs in Virginia

by Sean Dudley of Golf Course Architecture:

George will work with the Diatomite Corporation of America to create a master plan for Fones Cliffs - a new resort property in Richmond County. The resort will be built on land that forms part of the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail.

The zoning of a resort development at the site was approved in November 2015. Plans are now in place to create of a series of lodges, residential lots, and mixed-use commercial and retail space, as well as the new golf course.

The site lies at the top of cliffs on the above the Rappahannock River, where in 1608 a battle between Captain John Smith and his crew and Rappahannock Indians took place. The new resort will look to memorialize this encounter through a series of monuments, as well as an education center.

"Having worked extensively in the environmentally-sensitive Chesapeake Bay Watershed for the past 25 years, we understand the requirements of projects like this," said George. "Fones Cliffs is one of the most fascinating and beautiful sites I have ever seen, and I speak for the team when I say we will approach this property with a very soft hand. We will design the golf course with a goal of minimal land disturbance, earth moving, and impacts to the natural habitat in an effort to produce an environmentally sustainable resort."

Read entire article online here:

Renovation at Kinloch

by Sean Dudley of Golf Course Architecture:

A renovation project is underway at the Kinloch Golf Club near Richmond, Virginia.

Originally designed by architect Lester George and design consultant Vinny Giles, the course at Kinloch opened in 2001. 

Having hosted the 2011 USGA Senior Amateur Championships, a master plan of improvements for the course was put together in 2014. The master plan addresses issues around strategy, aesthetics and playability on the course.

Both Lester George and Vinny Giles have been working alongside the club to help make the necessary changes in accordance with the master plan.

"The little tweaks we make each year require more thought and planning than I could have ever imagined, but it never ceases to be fun," said Giles. "We are extremely proud of what we have created and will continue to make the minor improvements necessary to make Kinloch even better. Working with Lester on the original design and ongoing improvement plan for the golf course has been a real privilege."

 Read entire article online here:

VCU Golf Team Atlantic 10 Champions

George Golf Design is making alterations to the Richmond First Tee site to create a new Practice Facility for the Virginia Commonwealth University golf team, which just won the Atlantic 10 Championship for the third year in a row!

Read Article: VCU WINS THIRD STRAIGHT ATLANTIC 10 GOLF TITLE

Jamestown Park Golf Course

Under Construction

George Golf Design has been hired by the Town of Jamestown, North Carolina to redesign and reconstruct 19 green complexes at the Jamestown Park Golf Course. We are working with Golf Course Superintendent, John Crowe; Jamestown Town Manager, Chuck Smith;and Golf Course Contractor, Shapemasters. Construction is  underway, and the greens will be re-grassed with Bermuda grass. 

Lester George, Golf Course Architect| George Golf Design, Inc.

804-897-8600 |  www.georgegolfdesign.com