(MIDDLEFIELD, CT) – Lyman Orchards Golf Club – managed by Billy Casper Golf (“BCG”) and home to two celebrated 18-hole golf courses – re-opened its storied Robert Trent Jones, Sr. course on Saturday, May 23, after partially closing for six months to undergo more than $2 million in enhancements.
The program – crafted by the Lyman family, BCG and Mark Mungeam of Mungeam Cornish Golf Design – replaced the irrigation system, renovated all existing bunkers, added new bunkers, improved drainage and created even more aesthetically pleasing sight-lines for golfers.
“The Lyman family has always displayed a steadfast commitment to reinvesting in their golf courses to remain competitive in this ever-changing golf environment,” says Steve Ciskowski, President and CEO of Lyman Farms, Inc. “We are excited about Mark Mungeam’s contributions in helping us restore a classic Robert Trent Jones design to continue to provide premium golfing experiences for all of our members and guests.”
“The course looks as impressive as ever and plays to the enjoyment of all handicappers,” says Dave Christenson, General Manager of Lyman Orchards. “Golfers will relish the additions, some of which require them to think even more strategically during their rounds.”
Another focus was maintaining trees bordering fairways and framing greens to ensure top-drawer turf, exciting playability and amplify course vision. The extensive pruning and underbrush removal was the most recent major work to take place before re-opening.
The scope of work – including installing a multi-row irrigation system with a more efficient pump station to reduce water usage – is a step toward aligning Lyman Orchards with the Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuary program. Following Audubon-approved steps for an environmentally-friendly golf course protects the wildlife habitat while reducing the use of energy, water, pesticides and fertilizer.
The par-72, 7,011-yard Robert Trent Jones, Sr. course opened in 1969 – celebrating its 40th Anniversary this year – features rolling hills on the front nine and varying doglegs on the back. Meandering through acres of woodlands, wetlands and grasslands, “The Jones Course” offers four sets of tees on each hole and its more than 50 bunkers provide unique challenges to golfers of all abilities. On the back nine, water comes into play on seven holes, and undulating greens rankle nerves of novices and scratch players alike.
In 1994, PGA Hall of Fame golfer and course designer Gary Player opened Lyman Orchards’ second course, a par-71, 6,725-yard gem. “The Player Course” is sprinkled with deciduous trees and classic white pines. The routing takes players through apple orchards and features ample elevation changes throughout. On holes No. 11 and 13 especially, golfers are treated to 360-degree views of southern Connecticut’s picturesque landscape.
For more information about Lyman Orchards or to book a tee time: www.lymangolf.com, 860.349.6031.
About Lyman Orchards
Set on 1,100 acres in the heart of the state, Lyman Orchards (est. 1741) is a year-round destination for the whole family in Middlefield, Connecticut. Shop at the Apple Barrel market, filled with fresh farm produce and Lyman Orchard’s award-winning “Hi Top” Apple Pie; celebrate special events and weddings at the Lyman Homestead; enjoy seasonal Pick-Your-Own fruits and tours of the orchard; golf on two championship, 18-hole courses designed by Gary Player and Robert Trent Jones, and improve your skills at the Lyman Orchard’s Golf Academy.
For more information, call Lyman Orchards at 860-349-1793, or visit online at www.lymanorchards.com. Lyman Orchards is located at 32 Reeds Gap Road,Middlefield, CT 06455, between New Haven and Hartford.
About Billy Casper Golf
Widely respected as a high-performance, full-service owner/operator of golf courses, BCG manages properties in 25 states and outside the U.S. The company provides turnkey club operations for public-agency and private owners, developers and investors. Founded 20 years ago in cooperation with golf legend Billy Casper, BCG is based in Vienna, VA with regional offices strategically convenient to courses’ locales.
Buffalo Communications – a division of BCG – is America’s foremost golf-specialty publicity, media-relations and marketing-communications agency. In addition to creating PR and implementing programs for BCG courses, Buffalo represents many of golf’s top brands (products, resorts, destinations and communities) worldwide.
For more information about Billy Casper Golf/Buffalo Communications: billycaspergolf.com, buffalocommunications.com, 703.761.1444.
Contact:
Nick Lashinsky
Billy Casper Golf / Buffalo Communications
703.891.3324
nlashinsky@billycaspergolf.com
www.buffalocommunications.com
www.billycaspergolf.com
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