Hillcrest Country Club
Preliminary Concept Plan
March 23, 2021
Goals of Master Plan
• Improved hole variety
• Bunkering
• Improve overall hole length diversity
• Create more hole width
• Develop tree management plan
• Create Tees for all levels of play
• Maximize the property’s expansive property, topography
and natural setting
• Provides a “road map” for future projects
• Studies all aspects of the golf course including:
• Greens
• Fairways
• Bunkers
• Tees
• Agronomy
• Trees
• Cart Paths
• Practice Areas, etc.
• Create improved views of Clubhouse throughout the
course
Hillcrest Country Club Brand
• Family club
• Community camaraderie
• One of oldest golf clubs in Nebraska
• Emphasize historic relevance
INSPIRATION:
THE DOUBLE PLATEAU
The approach to the Double Plateau green is all about distance control. Players will have a
reasonable birdie chance if they reach the proper tier, but offline shots result in challenging up-and-
downs and long putts.
ARCHITECT’S NOTES:
A. Construct new tees forward and to the golfer’s right to change hole
from a par 5 to a par 4. This change creates enough space to double
the size of the practice range tee and creates a more appropriate length
hole with consideration to par.
B. Remove one layer of trees on the left side of the fairway to move the
center of the hole farther away from the property line/new homes on
the right.
C. Construct new green complex behind the existing green in the open gap
of land to create new par 4.
INSPIRATION:
THE ALPS
The Alps hole puts a feeling of uncertainty in players’ minds with its blind or semi-blind approach shot.
Only those who can put aside the blind nature of the shot and trust their yardage can succeed on the
hole. The Alps par-4 design typically ranges from 400-430 yards in length and is defined by its blind
second shot, typically over a hill. Cross bunkers guard the front of the green, hazards the player is unable
to see from the fairway. Relief comes int the form of the punchbowl green complex that allows offline
shots to funnel back to the green.
ARCHITECT’S NOTES:
A. Construct new rear tees in open land behind #1 green. This new angle sets
up a strategic alignment for players to play up the right side of the
expanded fairway, along the hog back of the existing contour, creating the
best angle and view to the new green.
B. Construct new forward tees per the tee equity plan
C. Construct new green complex utilizing the inspiration of alps/punchbowl
green concept.
INSPIRATION:
THE REVERSE REDAN
The Redan’s brilliance lies in the options it gives golfers of every skill level. Birdies, pars, and big numbers can
be had by great players and average players alike.
A Redan typically ranges from 180-215 yards and features a 45 degree right-to-left oriented green protected by
a deep bunker along the left side. Redan and Reverse Redan greens (same concept with the opposite angle)
carry a great deal of slope that typically runs toward the bunker and from the front of the green to the back.
Traditional Redans also typically feature a bunker short of the green with another behind the sloping shoulder
(behind the green) that penalize wayward shots. Up-and-downs from the back bunker are highly unlikely.
An ideal miss is long as it leaves an uphill chip shot back to the pitched green.
ARCHITECT’S NOTES:
A. Construct new forward tees per the tee equity plan
B. Remove a few trees up the left side of the hole to grade the correct
kicker slope from left to right for the redan.
C. Remove backdrop of trees behind the green to show off the historic
cottonwoods and to create the space needed to properly build the
redan green.
D. Construct new green complex utilizing the inspiration of “redan” green
concept.
INSPIRATION:
VOLCANO
ARCHITECT’S NOTES:
A. Construct new forward tees per the tee equity plan
B. Rebuild existing fairway bunker to match the new bunker style
C. Construct new fairway bunkers in the middle of the fairway to set up improved strategy/angles of play to
the new green complex
D. Construct new green complex utilizing the inspiration of volcano green concept since this is one of the
highest points on the property
E. Relocate cart path to the players right side of the green for improved access and flow to all of the tees on
hole 5
INSPIRATION:
MAIDEN GREEN
ARCHITECT’S NOTES:
A. Construct new forward tees per the tee
equity plan
B. Construct new white tee between the
two side by side tees and relocated the
cart path on the player right side of the
tees and hole.
C. Construct new fairway bunkers on the
left side of the hole and remove a few
trees on the right side of the landing
area to widen fairway. Ensure we
maintain a layer of trees hiding the
private property on the right side of the
hole.
D. Construct a new naturalized drainage
channel in the low area to help provide
a location for storm drainage to flow.
E. Construct new green complex to the
players left (away from the entrance
road) utilizing the inspiration of the
maiden concept with a dual rear
plateau and a small swale between the
two levels.
F. Relocate cart path to the players right
side of the green
INSPIRATION:
LEVEN
ARCHITECT’S NOTES:
A. Construct new forward tees per the tee
equity plan
B. Remove a few trees on left side of the
hole to create new angles/strategy up to
the new green complex.
C. Construct new fairway bunkers on the left
side of the hole and remove the fairway
bunker on the right side along with a few
trees on the right side of the alternate
landing area (over the new drainage
channel) to widen fairway.
D. Construct a new naturalized drainage
channel in the low area to help provide a
location for storm drainage to flow and
create a risk reward strategy for players
off the tee.
E. Construct new green complex creating
bunkering of the left side along with a
mound hiding the green and additional
challenge for players that layup to the left
side of the fairway at the bottom of the
hole.
INSPIRATION:
NARROWS
ARCHITECT’S NOTES:
A. Construct a new rear tee to create improved
varity among the par 4’s
B. Construct new forward tees per the tee equity
plan
C. Remove a few trees on right side of the hole to
create new angles/strategy up to the new green
complex.
D. Construct a new naturalized drainage channel in
the low area to help provide a location for
storm drainage to flow.
E. Remove the fairway bunkers on this hole and
rely on the trees to create a hole that continues
to narrow the closer the player is to the green.
F. Construct new green complex creating a new
bunker left of the green . This new green will
be similar in contouring as the existing green.
INSPIRATION:
TUCKER PLATEAU
ARCHITECT’S NOTES:
A. Construct new forward tees per the tee equity plan
B. Remove a few trees behind this green to open up a view of
the historic cottonwood trees.
C. Construct a new naturalized drainage channel along the
left side of the expanded green to create a different hazard
value on this par 3.
D. Construct new green complex maintaining the large
terrace on the green but expanding the size of the lower
level to the players left to create a more playable/puttable
green.
INSPIRATION:
ROAD HOLE
The entrance roadway up to the clubhouse is a very classic and beautify drive. Given the views onto the
golf course along road we felt the famous road hole would serve as our inspiration. The ideal tee shot
hugs the inside of the dogleg and brings the hazard or bunker into play. If pulled off, a tee shot down the
right side allows a player to hit an approach to the shallow green without having to go over the deep pot
bunker that guards the green. A tee shot that plays to the left away from the hazard results in a longer
approach over the pot bunker to the shallow green. A common spot for a player to bail out will be short
and left of the green, leaving a tough up and down for par.
Another goal of our realignment/relocation of the green complex is to introduce a view to the beautiful
clubhouse behind the new green that is classically situated on the highest point on the property.
ARCHITECT’S NOTES:
A. Construct new rear tees to convert this par 4 into a par 5.
B. Remove a few trees on the left side of the hole to open up a view of the historic cottonwood trees.
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C. Construct new hillocks between the new connecting fairway between the 9 and 10 holes.
D. Construct new green complex right of the current green to create an approach angle that opens up a view
of the beautiful clubhouse. The strategy of the new green is inspired by the famous road hole at St.
Andrews
ARCHITECT’S NOTES:
A. Construct new rear tee
B. Construct new forward tees per the tee equity plan
C. Remove a few trees on the left and right sides of the hole better
emphasize the ground contours and to open up views of the
historic cottonwood trees.
D. Construct new center fairway bunker in this new wide shared
fairway to emphasize the strategy of the tee shot.
E. Construct new hillocks between the new connecting fairway
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between the 9 and 10 holes.
F. Construct new green complex
ARCHITECT’S NOTES:
A. Construct new forward tees per the tee equity plan
B. Remove a few trees on the right side of the landing area to emphasize the
right to left ground contours and to open up the best angle to attack this
reachable par 5.
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C. Remove a few trees of the left side of the 2 landing area to show off the
strategic key trees short left of the green and to create purpose/strategy
on the location golfers play on their second shot.
D. Construct a new naturalized drainage channel in the low area of the
second landing area to help provide a location for storm drainage to flow
and create a risk reward strategy for players on their second shot.
E. Construct new green complex with a slightly larger green and
incorporating the new drainage channel along the left side of the new
green.
F. Relocate cart path on the left side of this new green and allowing golfers to
access the putting surface from behind the green.
INSPIRATION:
EDAN
ARCHITECT’S NOTES:
A. Construct new forward tees per the tee equity plan
B. Construct new green utilizing the inspiration of the edan green
concept. I am certain this was the original design intent of Tucker when
the course was originally built.
ARCHITECT’S NOTES:
A. Construct new forward tees per the tee equity plan
B. Construct a new naturalized drainage channel in the low areas on the left
side of the hole near the new and existing green as well as the right side of
the hole coming into play on the tee shot.
C. Construct new green complex behind the existing green that will be
located adjacent to the new drainage channel on the left side of the green.
INSPIRATION:
LIONS MOUTH
ARCHITECT’S NOTES:
A. Construct new tees to create a risk reward
drivable par 4.
B. Highlight key trees on the left and right sides
of the landing area along with a new fairway
bunkers. One narrow bunker in the middle
of the fairway and another new bunker on
the right side of the hole
C. Construct new green complex behind in the
same location as the existing green. This
green will be build utilizing the inspiration of
the lion’s mouth green.
INSPIRATION:
CAPE
ARCHITECT’S NOTES:
A. Construct new forward tees per the tee equity plan
B. Construct a new naturalized drainage channel in the low area crossing this
hole creating a cape hole allowing the golfer to choose how much of the
drainage channel they want to challenge off the tee.
C. Remove trees on the right side of the hole emphasizing the right to left
ground contour the currently exists.
D. Construct new green complex in the same location as the existing green.
INSPIRATION:
THE BIARRITZ
ARCHITECT’S NOTES:
A. Construct new rear tees to create better variety among our collection of par 3’s
B. Construct new forward tees per the tee equity plan
C. Construct new green utilizing the inspiration of the Biarritz green concept. I am fairly certain
Tucker wanted this par 3 to be like the Biarritz style of hole based on the existing reverse terrace
on the green and the downward slope in the fairway short of the existing green
INSPIRATION:
PUNCH BOWL GREEN/GREAT HAZARD
ARCHITECT’S NOTES:
A. Extend new tees behind the existing trees to create an uphill tee shot (for added hole variety) and to
convert this hole from a par 4 to a par 5
B. Remove trees on the left side of the hole at the first landing area.
C. Construct a new demand carry “great hazard” at the new second landing area setting up a risk reward
second shot on this par 5
D. Construct a new green behind the existing green near the white tees on hole 18 creating a punchbowl
green concept. If golfers can carry the great hazard golfers should find their approach shot funnel
toward the new green utilizing the design principles of a punchbowl green
INSPIRATION:
LONG
ARCHITECT’S NOTES:
A. Relocate the majority of these tee into the existing trees south
of the existing tees to allow for the construction of the new
green on 17.
B. The new tees will be located to convert this hole from a par 5
to a par 4. The new tee locations will create a better par 4 hole
given the length available for this hole and improve the safety
concern between the existing 15 tees and existing 18 landing
area
C. Construct new green to the players right of the existing green.
This will center the clubhouse as a backdrop for this finishing
hole as well as create a better safety buffer between the 18 th
green and the practice range tee.
ARCHITECT’S NOTES:
A. Relocate and construct
a new driving range
tee doubling the size.
B. Construct a new
putting green behind
the new driving range
tee associating it with
the existing putting
green (converting that
green into a chipping
green)
C. Create a new social
lawn outside of the
pro shop with
Adirondack chairs
allowing members
watch golfers finishing
their round or hitting
balls on the range.