MISTWOOD CHICAGO’S YEAR ROUND GOLF OPERATION still has the golf dome open for golf. But great news Mistwood Golf Course is getting ready to open for the season. So stay tuned for details. Currently both McWethy’s dining operations are open for indoor and outdoor dining. So visit Mistwoodgolfdome.com on Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook, and get ready for Mistwoodgc.com to open. Lessons and Club Fittings are available. Call the dome (630)-739-7600, or Mistwood golf course (815)-254-3333 #2021StateAm _____________________________________________________________________
THE GOG BLOG by Rory Spears. Director of Content and Creation For Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or friend on Facebook/LinkedIn or Instagram.
Architect Kyle Franz stands alongside his work at the Pine Needles golf course, part of Ross Resorts in Southern Pines NC.
THE GOLF WORLD is starting to find out, who is Kyle Franz.
Because Franz 37, is an up and coming name in the golf course architecture and design business.
Franz knew that golf course design was what he wanted while he was still a teenager. Which is why at age 19, he traveled down from his now alma mater Oregon State, to beg Tom Doak for a job during the construction of Pacific Dunes, at Bandon Dunes.
Whatever Franz said to Doak worked. Because Doak added the teenager to his crew, and Franz first job in golf course construction and design, was the type of dream job that most established architects hope to get once in a lifetime. But Franz work with Doak didn’t stop there. Franz followed Doak to Australia for the building Barnbougle Dunes, one of the golf wonders or the world.
CLICK HERE TO HEAR Part 1 of talking golf course design with Kyle Franz.
The par 3 17th hole at Pine Needles, home of the 2022 U.S. Women’s Open. Restoration by Kyle Franz.
But Franz travels to work with great design architects didn’t stop with Doak.
Because when Franz returned to the U.S. he headed east to Pinehurst.
Because there was this little project called the restoration of Pinehurst #2, with Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw was about to start, and Franz wanted in.
So when Coore and Crenshaw let Franz join the team to experience the work of Donald Ross at it’s best. Franz took full advantage, and used his time in Pinehurst to play area courses. Not just at the Pinehurst Resort, but around town. So in no-time, the sandhills area registered with Franz as a place he would like to continue working his trade.
Franz and his crews at work on Southern Pines Country Club, the newest addition to the Ross Resorts properties.
That opportunity came when Ross Resorts owner Kelly Miller met Franz, and decided to give him an opportunity to restore Mid-Pines one of the resorts Donald Ross designed classic golf courses.
But Franz was ready to learn more about course design and travel the world to do so. That opportunity came when Franz signed on with Gil Hanse to be part of the team that created the Olympic Golf Course in Rio, for the 2016 games. A course that Hanse compared to Pinehurst #2 when asked what course he could compare the Olympic Course to in America.
Franz world travels didn’t stop in South America. He spent a year moving around Scotland, Ireland and England. To see the famous links style designs in those parts of the United Kingdom. But one of the more interesting things Franz has done, was to go back to Pinehurst and Bandon Dunes as a caddie. Just to see how golfers played the holes he helped create or restore. It was a great way to hear the comments of the golfers who came to enjoy his work.
The 18th hole and hotel at Mid Pines Resort. Photo courtesy of Kyle Franz.
Franz restoration of Mid Pines, earned him more work on designed golf courses.
Because currently Franz is working on the newly acquired Southern Pines Country Club, that has become the third course under the Ross Resorts portfolio.
But in between Mid-Pines and Southern Pines, Franz rolled up his sleeves again, when Miller allowed Franz to restore Pine Needles, that has since hosted the 2019 U.S. Senior Women’s Open, and will host the 2022 U.S. Women’s Open. Both the USGA and the players gave the course that had previously hosted three U.S. Women’s Open’s rave reviews. Franz restoration of the Country Club of Charleston played out well when the club hosted the 2019 U.S Women’s Open.
Clubs that have a Ross history to their design are now calling on Franz to add his touch to their courses.
The clubhouse at MiniKahda, a Donald Ross design in the Twin Cites area of Minnesota, and recent host of the U.S. Senior Amateur.
The Minikahda Club in the Twin Cities area a famed Ross design, and recent host of the U.S. Senior Amateur is having Franz do restoration work at the club.
Franz is not just a Ross restoration specialist and he is starting to have his phone ring a little often from clubs that that have a long storied history.
So it would not be surprising if the USGA came calling on Minikahda when the restoration work is complete.
CLICK HERE TO HEAR PART 2 with golf course architect and designer Kyle Franz.
But there is one other thing Franz would like to do as soon as possible. Franz is ready and looking for a place to create his first short or par-3 course. So if your a property in the market for an architect to build your next 9 or 12 or 13 hole short course. Do visit Kylefranzgolf.com Franz would love to hear from you.
You can play all three Donald Ross Courses recently renovated by Franz as part of Ross Resorts in Southern Pines North Carolina, just a few minutes from Pinehurst.