[Proposal #23]: Spey Bay Winter 2024-25 Work Plan

Proposal Name: Spey Bay Winter 2024-25 Work Plan

Authors: cbruce, Bez, Cooper

TL;DR: We purchased Spey Bay Golf Course in Spring 2023 and have commenced on a plan to improve the playing conditions and transform the course into a top level course with a unique reversible layout. Watch our latest podcast and interview with GM Bert & Greenskeeper David Here.

Last winter we did the initial phase of work to remove a lot of gorse and build 4 new tees, opening up reversible possibilities. This winter we plan to focus on optimizing these new tees and turf areas so that (1) a new “forward” routing will be fully primed for playing next year, and (2) the first phase of the reversible design will be in place. In addition we will plan to implement other new design features such as a double green on 7 & 10, a new expanded putting green with “Himalayas” style putting course by the clubhouse, and removing a number of low utility bunkers throughout the course, all of which will improve the experience of visiting Spey Bay.

Funding: Minimal. Normal maintenance costs, and the use of onsite sand, water and machinery, and conservation of turf from throughout the course will cover most, if not all of the materials and expense. We expect an incremental cost of £4,500 to buy-in putting green turf.

Rationale: Our vision has always been to transform Spey Bay (and any Links course) into a top quality course. This continues on that path while being prudent on expenses and allowing the course to remain open the entire year.

Proposal Details: The proposed plan for this winter is to continue the work towards the final state reversible course while keeping the course open at all times, ensuring that a new “forward” routing is fully in play next season and completing other projects that will be important for improving play. This plan would have us at ~50% towards the final reversible version, once this winter’s work is done.

The plan includes work in a number of areas:

• Completing the growin of new tees (2nd, 4th, 5th, 15th, 17th and 18th) and their walkways and the rough areas where gorse was removed, so they are fully turfed during 2025 season

• Running irrigation pipe connecting the new water borehole to existing irrigation system and replacing fittings

• Removing 6-8 bunkers from play

• Connecting the existing 7th and 10th greens, creating a double green.

• Building a new putting green by the clubhouse, including “normal” practice green, a “Himalayas” putting course section, and chipping area

The primary focus is to ensure the new tees and turf areas are fully grown in for next year. That will ensure that we are playing on great surfaces, and we will be playing some completely new holes - 2nd hole will now be a dogleg left, 4th hole comes at new angle over the creek, 5th hole will have new back tees on the high point of property, 4th and 15th will share a tee with new wider teeing options for 15, and 17th and 18th tees will now be right on the water. This will also make the initial 7-hole reversible loop (as shown in our video) possible to play for special occasions.

Partially grown-in new tees for holes 4/15 (bottom right) and 5 (left). New approach to 4th green (top center)

Getting these in play will require some extra seeding, top dressing with sand, mowing, and watering. Importantly, this winter we also plan to complete the work connecting the new water borehole to the course irrigation system, fully deprecating the old well. This will allow us to water more areas more frequently.

We also plan to remove 6-8 bunkers from play. These are primarily bunkers that are far from the line of play so they do not get much use or add to the strategic nature of the course, but they require significant work to maintain. These include:

• 1st hole fairway (~100 yards from tee)

• 2nd fairway (right side, far in rough)

• 3rd fairway, far right bunker (well in rough, right of 3 other fairway bunkers)

• 12th fairway (hillside bunker, prone to washouts)

• 17th fairway (away from line of play, and currently punishment for a “safe” shot)

• 8th green, front left **if time allows

• 15th front of green **if time allows

Out of play bunkers on holes 2 and 3

In addition we plan to remove the bunker from between the 7th and 10th greens to allow us to combine the two in a large double-green complex. The adjacent greens of 7 and 10 are a unique layout that allow us to do something like this, which we believe could be a signature feature for the course. It is also an homage to another reversible layout in Scotland - the Old Course at St. Andrews.

The 7th and 10th greens at Spey Bay, with bunker in between that will be removed

Lastly, we plan to make significant changes to the practice putting green and area surrounding the clubhouse. The current putting green is not fitting of the experience we want for our members or visitors - it is small, flat, and a different grass than the greens on the course. In a new layout we plan to achieve a number of new benefits:

• A vastly expanded practice green of pure fescue to match the course’s greens. It will have both a gentler practice section (mimicking the course) and a more undulating “Himalayas” section that will create an 18hole putting course for post-round, families or those hanging in the clubhouse.

• A dedicated chipping area adjacent to the green

• An extended 1st tee area, allowing for more tee options and additional yardage on the 1st hole

• A redone path from the 18th green to the clubhouse. Currently there is an awkward transition from course to clubhouse with bunkers, the putting green, bumps, and a road in between. We would make a clearer path so that players are directed to the clubhouse postround

Diagram of the planned putting green and surrounds next to the clubhouse

We will already need turf to cover the bunkers that are being filled in. Since this proposed putting green area is currently well-maintained fairway height turf, we can actually use that turf to cover the filled bunkers and only buy-in turf for the putting green. This, plus our ability to use sand, top soil, stone, machinery and other materials that already exist onsite, mean that we can add this incredible new feature with extremely little incremental cost. We believe this will create a much better welcoming experience for players arriving at Spey Bay, a more fun atmosphere for our members that come to visit, and a unique feature that will attract more visitors to the course.

It is worth noting - we are not planning to have the final reversible layout complete by the 2025 season. That would require (1) closing the course for significant periods of time into the peak season, and (2) significantly more expense to accelerate construction of new features (more labor to get work done faster, sodding all areas instead of seeding and growing in, and so on). Our belief is that it is best to keep the course - which will have many new exciting features - open for our collective enjoyment while we continue to work towards the longer term vision. This will also allow us to adjust the reversible routing plan as we step into it and learn how the course is playing, which will lead to a better final version.

Some elements of the work have already begun in the course of the continual work we are doing to the golf course. However, we are seeking feedback and a vote on the plan to ensure clear visibility for our members and so that we continue to guide the changes to the course with the support of our unique and global membership.

References:

Podcast with Bert and David: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6u_M-4dGsU

Spey Bay reversible Youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SfkBw185Ks

Work plan from last winter: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pcuYxkPcPdbVOeOr4M8QzWxR0qD4F7G0tEeHpbzt4zM/edit?tab=t.0

Major Milestones:

• December 31, 2024 practice green site created, and turf transplanted

• January 31, 2025 bunkers filled in and turfed

• February 28, 2025 Irrigation connection to borehole complete

• April 30, 2025 extension of 1st tee and install of new irrigation boxes complete

• May 31, 2025 new tees, double green and practice green open; reverse approaches overseeded

Effort: The team at Spey Bay will put in a lot of effort! But no additional crew will be required and little will be required of Links team.

Voting:

FOR: Yes, I support moving forward with the winter work plan as stated

AGAINST: No, I do not support implementing the winter work plan as stated

ABSTAIN: Neither for nor against, but recording this vote counts toward reaching Quorum.

What Happens After the Vote:

If Yes, the Spey Bay greens crew will start immediately on implementing the outlined changed. If no, then plans will be reassessed for the winter.