Targeting the Aggregate Industry

Continuing with our series of memos aimed at different industries, we have created a memo targeted towards the Aggregate Industry. This industry provides a unique opportunity for the development of golf courses. The Aggregate Resource Act states that pit and quarry owners in Ontario must carry out progressive and final rehabilitation on their site. As this is a complicated and expensive procedure, pit and quarry owners are seeking for alternatives and we feel, the development of a golf course fits that description. Pit and quarry owners often have the in-house materials to undertake much of the general earthworks associated with a golf course, thus drastically reducing the cost of the overall development. Developing a golf course on a used pit or quarry is also an excellent way to optimize return on investment. Below is the memo we created for members of the Aggregate Industry - what we feel is a untapped market in the development of golf courses.

Elora set to Rock at Riverfest 2011

On Saturday, September 17th, Elora is set to rock as Village Idiot Productions host the third-annual Riverfest, at Bissell Park. Shawn P. Watters & Associates have teamed up with the Village Idiots in leading the sponsorship committee for the event.

This year, Riverfest will be featuring the acclaimed Canadian musician Danny Michel. Michel, a dynamic singer-songwriter, will be joined by the Little Band. The night will also include additional special musical guests. This is certain to make for a wonderful evening out and will make Elora the place to be on the 17th. In addition to music, the Kitchens in the Park Project (KIPP) will be creating chili and more in their new wood-burning ovens and Pelee Island Winery and F&M Brewery will be providing beverages for the event.

This night however is not just about the wonderful music, food and drink. Proceeds from the evening will be directed towards “Raising the Roof” - a cause near and dear to Shawn P. Watters and Associates. This program, set to be launched at Riverfest 2011, aims to provide the village of Elora with a permanent performing arts venue for local and international artists. Elora is known for its strong and vibrant performing arts community. The addition of a permanent performing arts facility would only contribute to the town's thriving artistic community.

Riverfest is currently seeking community sponsors to help stage the event and all are invited to place their name amongst the list. We are seeking cash and in-kind donations. There are also opportunities to act as a sponsor for specific aspects of Riverfest (ie tent sponsor, stage sponsor). Sponsors will be recognized at Riverfest on signs posted on site and in advertising leading up to the event. Your contribution will go a long way in supporting arts and culture in Centre Wellington.

Donations and volunteers are also most welcome, as are questions and comments. If you are interested in being a sponsor for Riverfest 2011, please contact Shawn at swatters@wattersgolfdesign.com. Sponsor or not, we invite you to come out under the star and enjoy a night of great music, food, drink and community at Riverfest 2011, September 17th in Bissell Park.

RIVERFEST 2011 featuring Danny Michel
Saturday September 17th, 7:30PM
Bissell Park, Elora, ON Rain or Shine
Tickets $20 in advance/$25 at the gate
Buy from Sante, 130 Metcalfe St., Elora
BYOLC (Bring your own lawn chair!)
Food and Drink available for purchase

Developing International Relationships

Over the years, our firm has developed working relationships with industry leaders in numerous disciplines. Our work with architects, engineers, planners, contractors, suppliers, and professional golfers has provided Shawn P. Watters & Associates with an internationally experienced design team.

We are currently looking to expand our international presence. In doing so, we have created a series of memos entitled "International Golf Design Services". The memos spotlight who we are, what we can provide and answer why we want to expand into international markets. You can take a look at the memos below, both in English and Spanish.

ENGLISH

SPANISH

Targeting Markets

This summer, one of our initiatives is to create virtual e-memos for members of different golf related industries. We are creating several different versions of the memos geared towards these industries. Within the memos, we explain a bit about our firm - including who we are and what we can do for you. Although the memos are not yet completed, we want to share a piece of them with you. Attached is the back cover of the memos, completed with a shot of the beautiful Hole #6 green at Oak Bay G&CC. Check back to the blog later this month when you can take a look at the finished memos!

Hole by Hole Tour Oak Bay Part 2

As previously mentioned, we recently took a trip to the Oak Bay and brought the camera along to document the developments on the golf course. In yesterday's post, we we provided you with a pictorial tour of Holes 1 thru 9. Now we present to you the remainder of the course, Holes 10-18. Do you have a personal favourite?

OAK BAY G&CC - HOLES 10-18

HOLE #10 - Par 4, 466 yards

HOLE #11 - Par 4, 387 yards

HOLE #12 - Par 4, 375 yards

HOLE #13 - Par 4, 436 yards

HOLE #14 - Par 4, 272 yards

HOLE #15 - Par 3, 170 yards


HOLE #16 - Par 5, 479 yards

HOLE #17 - Par 3, 200 yards

HOLE #18 - Par 5, 506 yards

This is part 2 in a 2 part article spotlighting the holes at Oak Bay G&CC. To see Part 1 (Holes 1-9), click here.

Hole by Hole Tour Oak Bay Part 1

This past Friday, we took a trip up to Port Severn to see the developments at Oak Bay. The course is growing in really well. Not seeing it on a daily basis allows one to notice a real difference in maturity. Here are a few points from our recent visit.
- The greens continue to mature as the maintenance staff continue to top dress and train the greens down.
- The fairways conditioning is pretty impressive given the fact the back 9 holes were constructed and seeded late last Summer.
- Tweaking of the golf course will continue as we monitor public play of the facility.
- Construction has begun (or will shortly begin) on the clubhouse and the marina. Both are anticipated to open next season.
- Many of the created environmental areas continue to thrive (more on this in a later post!)

While at the course, we took photos of each holes and have created on pictorial tour of the golf course. View Holes 1-9 in today's post and look back for Holes 10-18 later this week.

OAK BAY G&CC - HOLES 1-9

HOLE #1 - Par 5, 481 yards

HOLE #2 - Par 3, 220 yards

HOLE #3 - Par 4, 385 yards

HOLE #4 - Par 3, 195 yards

HOLE #5 - Par 4, 391 yards

HOLE #6 - Par 4, 396 yards

HOLE #7 - Par 4, 342 yards

HOLE #8 - Par 4, 318 yards

HOLE #9 - Par 5, 484 yards

This is part 1 in a 2 part article spotlighting the holes at Oak Bay G&CC. To see part 2 (Holes 8 thru 18), click here.

Calendar Models

Mr. June 2011 - Hole #7 the featured hole

Earlier this year, one of Shawn P. Watters & Associates golf courses was featured in our first ever calendar spot. The calendar was released by the U.S. industry seed provider Tee2Green and showcases Hole #7 (342 yards, par 4) at the new Oak Bay Golf & Country Club in Port Severn. The hole, which was chosen as the June 2011 spot, uses several of Tee2Green's product. This includes Crystal BlueLinks on the fairways and both Penn A-1 and Penn A-4 on the tees and greens. Here's hoping there are many more calendar modelling gigs to come!

"The Jawdropper" - Ontario Golf Article

While the new Oak Bay G&CC occasionally dazzles, there's generally a subtlety about the Shawn Watters layout as it harmoniously weaves its way around the gently sloping land off the shores of Georgian Bay, just west of Port Severn. Which is why the view at the 15th hole hits you like Thor's hammer - a spectacular 164-yard, into-the-wind, all-carry par-3 to a green that sits upon a wall of granite, with layers of greenside bunkers framing the putting surface. Bordering the tee is a vast, windswept expanse of Oak Bay marshland, which separates the solitary tee box from the fortress-like green. "I saw aerial photographs of all the rock here, but you physically couldn't get near it because of all the wetlands surrounding it," Watters recalls of an early survey of the property. "But then I came here in the winter months and looked back and though, 'Wow!' The green, though, was actually the tee in the original plan. But I got a call from a biologist who said this was the most environmentally sensitive area on the entire site and that we would have to build a wall around the green. I was depressed. Then I though, 'Why not reverse the direction of three holes and make that green the tee instead?' "In hindsight, it ended up being a more cost-effective way to build the hole." And more spectacular.

This piece was featured in the Spring 2011 edition of Ontario Golf. To read online, click here.

"Ready for Play" - GolfScene article

"I wanted a facility that would provide affordable living, fun and challenging golf, and plenty of land for all sorts of outdoor activities that would bring people close to nature twelve months of the year. I think we have accomplished this at Oak Bay."
by Norm Woods

Back in 2005, Bryan Coleman, a developer from Mississauga discovered a pristine parcel of land just off the 400 highway near the town of Port Severn. The land, which borders Georgian Bay, was just what Coleman had in mind for his vision of a unique, master planed lifestyle community that was not too far from the GTA.

Between 2005 and 2007 Coleman assembled 330 acres and began to develop, alongside partner Romas Kartavicius of Eden Oak Homes, also of Mississauga, the lifestyle community that today is known as The Residences of Oak Bay Golf and Country Club. A collection of rustic bungalows, two-storey homes, townhomes and villas can be found alongside a state-of-the-art 6,600 yard golf course which will open to the public on the May 24th weekend.

Coleman says, "I wanted a facility that would provide affordable living, fun and challenging golf, and plenty of land for all sorts of outdoor activities that would bring people close to nature twelve months of the year. I think we have accomplished this at Oak Bay."

The golf course, designed by renowned Elora-based architect, Shawn Watters, winds its way through unspoiled woodland areas, features rock outcroppings at strategic places and takes in the tranquil sounds of Georgian Bay.

Watters, along with associate Roger Stacey, has attempted to keep the golf course as close to nature as possible with a visual 18-hole journey highlighted by splashes of the craggy Canadian Shield. There are flatlands, forested hills with five finishing holes that have views of Georgian Bay.

Watters says, "we made every effort to route the course without having to dynamite any of the land. This has created some very interesting holes which golfers will very much enjoy as they play their shots along the journey."

As part of Coleman's dream, the land allows for year-round activities for people of all-ages.

"Residents, guests and members can take advantage of the Marina with a waterway that has access to Georgian Bay and the Trent-Severn waterway. In addition there is hiking, biking, tennis, swimming, water skiing, cross country skiing and snow-shoeing, plus an indoor fitness facility. There is something for everyone twelve months of the year, regardless of age," adds Coleman.

Coleman also notes, "I wanted a community that was not a great distance from the Toronto area and the short 90 minute drive from the GTA is just ideal for families and golfers alike. I am very excited about our progress to date and am looking forward to seeing golfers experience our great course.

Coleman, along with everyone involved with the project, is anxiously awaiting the golf course opening and is very encouraged that the course 'wintered' very well and is ready to 'welcome' golfers in mid-May.

"We will continue construction of the clubhouse over the summer months and will have temporary facilities in place to welcome golfers and host tournaments this season. I am also very encouraged with the interest in our housing project and we will continue to provide servicing to accommodate the new home sales. We are attracting couples and families who have plans to live year round at Oak Bay and take advantage of our many amenities," Coleman adds.



ABOUT THE ARCHITECT: Shawn P. Watters & Associates is an Elora, Ontario based golf course architecture firm providing full-service design consultation for the golf development industry. Founded in 1996, Watters' vision is to embrace golf course architecture traditions, while building modern designs that fit today's landscapes.

This article was featured in the Spring 2011 issue of GolfScene magazine. To view the piece online, click here and scroll to page 26.