Glaze Meadow Golf Course at Black Butte Ranch, Named Renovation of the Year

Emerging from a field of 21 entries, John Fought Design’s dramatic transformation of the Glaze Meadow Golf Course at Black Butte Ranch in Sisters, earned first place honors in Golf Inc. Magazine’s Renovation of the Year competition for public courses. The course will be featured in the summer edition of the magazine.

Golf Inc.’s annual Renovation of the Year competition recognizes the best renovation projects of the past year from around the world. Nominees are judged on how effectively the renovation improved the course, based on four primary criteria: routing, playability, maintainability and aesthetics.

Built in 1978, the Glaze Meadow golf course was overrun by dense forest growth, creating a claustrophobic playing environment and a frustrating golfing experience. An aging irrigation system triggered the renovation, but instead of focusing on a single component, Black Butte management decided that the tremendous potential of the course could only be realized through a comprehensive renovation.

The makeover was entrusted to acclaimed architect John Fought, well known for his restoration work at Pine Needles Golf Club in North Carolina, among others. Fought’s significant experience with Golden Age golf courses, of the type designed by golfers such as the late Donald Ross, was deemed a perfect match for Glaze Meadow. Though only 30 years old, Glaze Meadow had the foundation for a classic course design because of its fundamentally sound design, respecting the lay of the land and the spectacular natural beauty of the surrounding vistas.

Every aspect of the Glaze Meadow course was reviewed and refined, with new tees, greens, bunkers, grasses and irrigation, and the removal of trees created better views while improving play. Even though the renovation was extensive, “nothing was forced,” Fought said.

The result, a 3.75 million dollar makeover that is “a home run for everyone,” Fought said.

Six private golf courses and three public ones earned Golf Inc.’s Renovation of the Year honors. In addition to the Glaze Meadow Golf Course in Sisters, the winners include, in alphabetical order: BackTee New Course at Himmerland Golf & Spa Resort in Denmark; The Denver Country Club in Denver, Colorado.; the Luna Vista Golf Course in Dallas, Texas; the Oklahoma City Golf & Country Club in Nichol Hills, Okla.; the Old Tabby Links at Spring Island at Spring Island, South Carolina; The Richmond Golf Course in Surrey, England and the Pelican Marsh Golf Course in Naples, Florida.

Complete details on all winners of Golf Inc.’s Renovation of the year can be found at http://www.golfincmagazinemonthly-digital.com/golfincmagazinemonthly/july_2013.

For more information about Glaze Meadow golf course and Black Butte Ranch, visit www.BlackButteRanch.com.

About Black Butte Ranch | www.BlackButteRanch.com

Black Butte Ranch is perfectly positioned for an authentic Central Oregon cascade experience. The 1,800-acre destination community, located seven miles west of Sisters on Highway 20, is nestled beneath the Cascade Mountain range with sweeping views of Three Sisters, Mount Washington, Black Butte, Broken Top, Three Fingered Jack and Mount Jefferson. The family-friendly property offers an array of lodging accommodations, two championship golf courses, four swimming pools, award-winning restaurants, a full-service spa and abundant four-season recreational opportunities.