New course enhancements to be unveiled this June
McHENRY, MARYLAND – The famous Wisp Resort in the Deep Creek Lake area at McHenry, Maryland, recently announced the June 2008 unveiling of new course enhancements to the on-property resort course. Course design enhancements were completed by Todd Schoeder of Denver-based Design Workshop, with construction management services directed by Scottsdale-based OB Sports Golf Management. Schoeder describes the enhancements as a throwback to the Classic-design era when master architects such as George C. Thomas and Allister Mackenzie designed some of storied layouts that still test the games best players.
All told, Wisp will unveil four new golf holes and a totally revamped course routing. The new routing is a continuous 18 hole loop (versus modern nine and back routings), yet still provides golf purists with a core golf experience, as the residential component at Wisp lies on the outer perimeter of the playing corridors. As for the new holes, the original holes numbered four through seven will be taken out of play in June. At the same time four new holes will be unveiled. Since the new holes were routed on additional acreage, 18 holes of the golf will remain open for public and resort play during the entire process.
“We tried to bring the character of the existing course to the new holes” states Todd Schoeder. “The original golf holes at Wisp had a “classic feel” with abrupt shapes, shallow bunker designs and simpler features that harken to an older school of design. Even though the course was built in the 70’s, it had design elements that created a feeling of a course that was built in the 1920’s.”
“Although the new holes were designed in a way that was able to match the style and character of the original design, they were “modernized” somewhat to provide even more interest and strategy from tee to green. It’s not about length, it is about strategy. It’s about creating an interesting journey from tee to green…providing more strategic options off the tee and providing alternate approaches into green complexes. It’s about using shot options to ‘defend par’ versus just simply using length,” Schoeder added.
Another design element used commonly in the Classic era of golf design (and at Wisp Resort) was the use of green undulation to create challenge and intrigue. “Wisp has some very ‘old school’, very interesting, undulating greens, that are certain to test the putting prowess of golfing guests,” added Schoeder.
Schoeder was also able to incorporate what was once an old spring house on what will be the new 10th hole. The spring house was a shelter built decades ago that protected a naturally occurring headwater from a spring – a spring that still actually flows today. On that same hole, golfers may be haunted with challenging putts as the 10th green sits on a site that once housed a barn that was rumored to be haunted.
About Wisp Resort
Located just two hours from Pittsburgh and three hours from Baltimore and Washington D.C, Wisp Resort is Maryland’s only 4-season ski, golf and recreational destination resort. Golfing guests at Wisp Resort enjoy the 6,700, par-71 Wisp Resort Course that was ranked as one of the “100 Must-Play Courses of the Mid-Atlantic” by GolfStyles Magazine. After golf, guests, of Wisp Resort can retreat to the Wisp Resort Hotel & Conference Center, a smoke free property that features 102 suites and 67 guest rooms. Other recreational amenities at Wisp Resort capitalize on all four seasons and include world-class skiing, boarding, fly fishing, boating, tennis, fitness, spa, hiking, mountain coaster, kayaking, and more. For more information on Wisp Resort call (301) 387-4911 or visit www.wispresort.com
About Design Workshop
Design Workshop is an award-winning, international firm practicing landscape architecture, land planning, urban design, and tourism planning. Design Workshop combines principles of smart growth, sustainable design, and environmentally-sound planning to reconcile economic needs with the preservation of scenic, cultural, and community values. Design Workshop’s pioneering efforts have been recognized with more than 125 awards from such organizations as the American Society of Landscape Architects, the American Planning Association, and the Urban Land Institute. Design Workshop’s portfolio includes 60 golf courses and over 150 golf-related projects. For more information about Design Workshop, visit www.designworkshop.com or email golf@designworkshop.com
About OB Sports
Wisp Resort Course is professionally managed by OB Sports Golf Management, a diversified, golf-oriented company with a long history of success in the golf industry. OB Sports currently manages 30 premier golf courses and country clubs throughout the United States and Mexico. Known for its comprehensive and personalized services since 1972, OB Sports has become widely acclaimed as the leader in boutique-style golf course management. For more information on OB Sports, visit www.obsports.com or call (480) 948-1300.
Contact:
C.A. Roberts – caroberts@obsports.com
(480) 776-8102
