Richardson | Danner Plan to Transform Druids Glen to a Modern Classic

COVINGTON, Wash. - July 10, 2021 - PRLog -- The newly formed Richardson | Danner Golf Course Architects have been appointed to lead an ambitious renovation of Druids Glen Golf Club located just south of Seattle, Washington. The project will focus on a bunker renovation, turf reduction, irrigation enhancements and the addition of forward tees. Parks Legacy Project, based in Phoenix, Arizona, acquired the course in 2019 as part of its growing portfolio of courses along the West Coast.

"Our work is aimed at creating a more aesthetic and thought-provoking golf experience," says Jeff Danner. "Adding new forward tees will help make the course more enjoyable for those just learning the game as well as those keen on hitting approaches into greens that are more in line with the design intent of the holes."

Opened in 2004, Druids Glen has been highly regarded among Washington State's best golf courses. The course is known for being challenging while being praised for its scenic and natural setting among nearly 300 acres of forest. Covinington Creek traverses the course which has long been applauded for its environmental stewardship.

"The property is a collection of meadows and forests that just happen to have a golf course meandering through it," says Forrest Richardson. Like most other daily fee clubs across the country, Druids Glen has experienced an uptick in rounds played and ownership has committed to bringing the course back to its former glory.

"Druids Glen has begun to show signs of needing renovation and infrastructure work," Says Danner. "Key features that made it a great experience simply need to be refreshed." The project will involve repositioning and reducing the size of bunkers throughout the course, leading to efficiencies while preserving strategy and challenge.

Another key focus will be a comprehensive review of maintained turf, with the goal to take the existing turf footprint of 113 acres down to approximately 80 acres. "There is an opportunity to reduce the water usage by as much as 15%," notes Richardson. "Too much turf is being mowed and watered. Our approach is to transform many areas currently out of play to a natural landscape of heather and fescues."

Richardson | Danner is working with noted agronomist Rick Elyea on native plant establishment and the introduction of heather to the course. "It turns out that heather [Calluna Vulgaris] does quite well in the Washington climate, and we are enthused to introduce this dimension to the landscape," he says. While heather is traditionally thought of in Western European regions, especially in Surrey, England, the many varieties and colors can be fast growing in several North American climates.

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