Robert Trent Jones Jr. updates his father’s public course, host of’74 PGA Championship
The Championship Course at Tanglewood Park in Clemmons, North Carolina—a Robert Trent Jones Sr. design that hosted the 1974 PGA Championship and the 1986 U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship—reopened last Saturday after five months of implementing major portions of a long-range golf course refinements master plan prepared by RTJ Sr.’s son, Robert Trent Jones Jr., Chairman and Master Architect of Robert Trent Jones II (RTJ II) Golf Course Architects.
The master plan, prepared at the request of the Forsyth County Parks and Recreation Department, called for refinements to many elements of the golf course, notably all bunkers, tees, tree management, and resurfacing the greens with new turf.
“The changes are outstanding,” reports Michael Wilcox, Tanglewood Park’s Director of Golf. “The updated playability, strategy, and picturesque vistas will create a unique and memorable golf experience. Once the newly grassed areas are fully established, the Championship Course will once again be one of the premier public courses in the U.S. A new chapter at Tanglewood has begun.” The club has an additional 18 hole layout- the Reynolds, a 6,537 yards, par 72, also designed by RTJ II, and a par 3 course.
“I give the officials in the Forsyth County government a big standing ovation for realizing the tremendous asset that the Championship Course at Tanglewood Park represents to their County Parks System,” says Bruce Charlton, President and Chief Design Officer of RTJ II. “Our intent was to update the course in keeping with the RTJ Sr.’s design philosophies while polishing this gem to meet the demands of today’s game. It has been a pleasure implementing our visions in collaboration with Richard Mandell, an ASGCA member based in Pinehurst, N.C.”The Championship course runs out to 7,101 yards, par 70.
Both Wilcox and Charlton noted the contributions of course superintendent Lee Barefoot, The Wadsworth Construction company led on this project by Matt Lohmann, and consultant Steve Johnson of Brown Golf Management.
Tanglewood Park is the former estate of Will and Katharine Reynolds. Now a public park, Tanglewood also offers fishing on two stocked lakes, pedal boats, tennis complex, an aquatic center, picnic shelters, horse stables, gardens and a trail system. During the holidays, the Park celebrates with the Festival of Lights, a spectacular Xmas show that can viewed by car.
About Robert Trent Jones II
Robert Trent Jones II Golf Course Architects (RTJ II), located in Palo Alto, Calif., is the preeminent golf design firm worldwide, having created more than 280 courses in over 40 countries on six continents. Trustees of a great tradition of golf course architecture, RTJ II is committed to working in harmony with nature to craft the best golf course on each unique site. The RTJ II design team has experience in every aspect of golf course development and the ability to provide support and expertise from conception through completion of any project. For additional information, visit the RTJ II website at www.rtj2.com or contact the firm at +1 650-475-0329 or info@rtj2.com.
