GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Blythefield Country Club, the host of the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give, is completing the final stage of the major renovation and revitalization of its 18-hole golf course and Club grounds.
With an Old English derivation meaning “quiet fields,” Blythefield was designed more than 90 years ago by William B. Langford and Theodore J. Moreau. In preparation for the club’s second century, golf course architect Chris Wilczynski, ASGCA developed improvement plans and has overseen the renovation that is intended to restore the course and Club to its original splendor.
“We have been working to renew the course to what Langford and Moreau designed with a modern approach,” Wilczynski said. “That includes bolder bunkers that are positioned at strategic angles to the intended line of play and wider playing corridors to provide options for golfers of all abilities”.
Under Wilczynski’s direction, MacCurrach Golf Course Construction of Jacksonville, Florida began the course renovation in July. MacCurrach previously worked on other Michigan course renovations, including the Country Club of Detroit and Orchard Lake Country Club. “We choose MacCurrach for their talented workmanship and their ability and experience in completing large-scale renovation projects in a short period of time” Blythefield Golf Course Superintendent Collin Romanick, said. “They have exceeded all expectations!”
“This is an awesome opportunity,” Wilczynski said. “We are working to enhance and revitalize a classic golf course for the members and for the future tournaments it hosts.”
Wilczynski’s improvements to the golf course feature:
- New state-of-the-art two acre short-game practice facility
- 12,000 SF Putting Green and Putting Course
- 5-6 new tees for each hole to lengthen and shorten the course
- Repositioning and rebuilding of all bunkers with the Better Billy Bunker System
- Realignment and widening of all fairways
- Expansion of all greens to their original shapes and sizes
- New internal drainage system for each green
“This means a lot to the club; a commitment has been made to improve the quality of the course,” Blythefield General Manager Bob Crissman said. “Improving the bunkers and better drainage of the greens will make for an improved experience for our members and better conditions and quality of play for the LPGA tournament. We needed this plan so that we can remain one of the premier golf courses in the Midwest.”
The course renovation has also included the removal of several trees which, according to Wilczynski, has “opened the site panoramas, restored a cleaner look and created the width for each hole that Langford and Moreau intended.”
“We are thrilled with the transformation of the course”, said club President Jack Skoog. “Our relationship with Meijer has helped us put together a first-class project. This will be a great facility for our members, the LPGA, and the Meijer Classic. We took an aggressive approach to revitalizing our golf course and have finally given this wonderful course its due!”
Contact:
Chris Wilczynski, ASGCA
734.395.7941
chris@cwgolfarch.com
www.cwgolfarch.com
