Lohmann Supporting Rockford Juniors Via Design

Contact Hal Phillips
Phillips Golf Media
207-926-3700
onintwo@maine.rr.com

ROCKFORD, Ill. (January 2, 2002) -- Lohmann Golf Designs is once again advocating for junior golf in a meaningful way, partnering with the Junior Golf Association of Greater Rockford (JGAGR) to create an innovative practice facility and short course with an eye toward First Tee affiliation.

Lohmann Golf Designs (LGD) has donated its schematic work and will handle design of a three-phase project here at Ingersoll Golf Course. Phase I, to begin this year, will see the transformation of Ingersoll's existing range into a "Wee Course", a 4-hole mini-layout which caters to kids but nevertheless includes real tees and greens. This phase also includes creation of a 9,000-square-foot putting green and a 6,000-square-foot short-game station complete with green and bunkers.

"This will be a dedicated junior facility, a place where true beginners can learn the basics of play and etiquette in a care-free environment," says Bob Lohmann, president and founder of Marengo, Ill.-based LGD. "Kids need a place of their own, where they're not in the way of adults - and adults aren't in their way! The First Tee is all about creating access to the game, and this facility will provide that sort of affordable entrée."

According to Jim Keeling, board member and finance committee chair of the JGAGR, "We are currently in the process of applying to affiliate with The First Tee. Right now, we're the Junior Golf Association of Greater Rockford, but we'd like to operate as The First Tee of Rockford. We're in the fund-raising process right now; we've set a $600,000 budget which should cover the program's first two years, including maintenance.

"We're confident we can break ground this summer and open for play on July 4, 2003."

Phase II will take shape just south of Ingersoll GC on city parkland, in addition to property donated by Rockford Blacktop. LGD will design nine more holes here: four on one parcel and five on the other. The routing will allow kids to play a 4-hole course, a 6-hole course or a 9-hole course, depending on their skill level.

"The goal is to have a graduation effect," explains Todd Quitno, LGD's project architect directing work in Rockford. "True beginners will practice their putting and chipping and play the Wee Course until they're ready to graduate to the 4-hole course. Once they've conquered the four-holer , they'll graduate to the 6- and 9-hole courses."

LGD has for years actively promoted junior golf through its design efforts. At Highland Country Club in Indianapolis, for example, the firm pioneered the idea of creating junior courses within existing ranges, to be used by kids when the practice tee is closed. LGD will christen a similar intra-range routing this spring at Bloomingdale (Ill.) Golf Club.

The Wee Course in Rockford, a spiritual descendent of the Bloomingdale and Highland routings, will also feature a bit of "agronomic" innovation: The greens will be synthetic, featuring grass-like fibers top-dressed with crumb rubber. This faux turf has proved effective on practice tees; Quitno is confident that firmness can be adjusted to simulate a realistic putting surface.

"We're very pleased with the design Lohmann has come up with. It's extremely imaginative," said Keeling, who noted that the JGAGR was founded through grants from the Rockford Pro-Am and the Rockford Park District Foundation. "The First Tee has some prototypes facilities; they all call for training areas and 3-hole short courses. The Lohmann plans does far more than that; it's really a very creative use of space. Plus, with Ingersoll [GC] right there, the kids will have access to all sorts of useful, existing facilities."

For more information on the Rockford project, contact Jim Reid at 815-987-8863. For more information on Lohmann Golf Designs, call 815-923-3400 or visit www.lohmann.com.

keywords: Lohmann Golf Designs, Bob Lohmann, Jim Kelling, Todd Quitno, Junior Golf Association, First Tee