Kenwood Country Club Approves Fry/Straka’s Renovation Plan for its Kendale Course
Fry/Straka Global Golf Course Design, an award-winning golf course design partnership with worldwide reach, is set to renovate the William Diddel designed, Kenwood Country Club’s Kendale Course, located in Cincinnati, Ohio. With overwhelming support from the club’s membership, construction is slated to begin in August of 2019, with a reopening target of late spring, 2020.
This historic club was founded in 1929 by 11 members of the Cincinnati area. William H. Diddel, a founding member of the American Society of Golf Course Architect’s, was commissioned to design the 36-hole facility which opened in August, 1930. Having hosted the 1933 U.S. Amateur, the 1954 Western Open and the 1963 U.S. Women’s Open, Kenwood looks to make significant upgrades and continue with their tradition of golfing excellence.
“Dana and I are thrilled the club voted overwhelming to support this project. The planning process has been meticulous, and was overseen by an improvement committee that logged hundreds of hours of time. It has been a pleasure working with such a passionate and thoughtful group, and we are now looking forward to seeing it through”, says Jason Straka, Principal of Fry/Straka.
Dave Williams, President of Kenwood, notes, “The Board of Trustees at Kenwood Country Club fully embraced the Master Plan designed by Fry/Straka, and we are thrilled to be partnering with such a highly regarded group.”
Fry/Straka will focus on restoring the club’s original Diddel design with consideration for today’s golfing and maintenance technology. Greens will be restored to original size and contours, but will be softened to also capture original pin positions rendered unusable by today’s green speeds. The project also includes a restoration of bunkers and widening of fairways to recapture original widths. Additionally, considerable tree management will be undertaken with an emphasis on improved drainage throughout the property.
Wadsworth Golf Construction and All Green Irrigation have been selected to build the Fry/Straka – Mike Kuhn (irrigation) improvements, along with considerable support from Golf Course Superintendent, Kent Turner and his talented maintenance staff.
About Fry/Straka Global Golf Course Design
Fry/Straka Global Golf Course Design is a partnership with worldwide reach in award-winning golf-course design. Golf course architects Dana Fry and Jason Straka, having worked together for over 20 years, continue to bring their collective design experience, talent, and renowned client dedication to their venture.
Although the pair collaborates on all projects, it is not uncommon for the partners to be traveling on opposite sides of the world so they can serve their global clients with ease, efficiency and the utmost in professional dedication. In addition, the company has a diversified staff of associates – speaking a combined six languages – based in Lisbon, Portugal; Milan, Italy; Beijing, China; Porto Alegre, Brazil; and dispersed around the U.S. Thus Fry/Straka Global Golf Course Design can service any job, anywhere in the world, with the highest of standards and a consummate commitment to excellence.
For more information, see www.frystraka.com
