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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY <br />This Master Plan Study explores potential long-range improvements intended to assist <br />the Owner in identifying and prioritizing long-range capital improvements directed at <br />improving course conditions and playability. <br />This study involved interviewing and surveying City of Louisville staff, employees of <br />Western Golf Properties, representatives of the Coal Creek Golf Advisory Board, the <br />Coal Creek Men’s Club and the Coal Creek Women’s Club. In addition, the golf course <br />assessment included a review of the existing irrigation system by Mr. Brian Keighin of <br />Irrigation Technologies, an agronomic review by Mr. Fred Soller of the United States <br />Golf Association (USGA) and an architectural review by Herfort Norby Golf Course <br />Architects, Inc. Lastly, the study included an email survey with nearly 750 responses <br />from area residents on issues relating to course conditioning and priorities for <br />improvement. The study was conducted under the supervision of Kevin Norby, Owner <br />and President of Herfort Norby Golf Course Architects. <br />The Master Plan Study identified four primary areas of improvement including tree <br />removal, repair and replacement of the irrigation system, sand bunker renovation and <br />expansion of the practice facilities. According to the nearly 750 survey respondents, tree <br />removal, bunker renovation and expansion of the practice facilities were the highest <br />priority issues. Also ranking high, were clubhouse improvements. However, our <br />recommendation, given the significant cost and number of required golf course <br />improvements, would be to complete only minimal interior clubhouse improvements at <br />this time to address normal wear and tear and code issues. <br />Trees <br />The most pressing issue facing Coal Creek Golf Course is the impact which trees are <br />having on the safety, playability and maintenance of the golf course. Many of the <br />ditches have become so choked with trees that they obscure the golfer’s view of the golf <br />course and, on many golf holes, trees have created safety issues by obscuring the <br />landing area and unnecessarily forcing golfers to hit the balls to towards adjacent <br />neighboring homes or golf holes <br />Our recommendation would be implement a tree removal and replacement program <br />whereby poorly positioned, short-lived or structurally compromised trees would be <br />selectively removed to improve safety, reduce maintenance, improve playability and <br />allow for the establishment of more-desirable, longer-lived trees. <br />Sand Bunkers <br />Over time, the bunkers at Coal Creek have been edged so that the bunkers are now <br />considerably larger than the original bunkers and the “capes” or faces now have nearly <br />vertical slopes on which it is difficult to maintain sand. As the faces get edged and the <br />native soils erode into the bunker, the sand becomes contaminated so that it is no longer <br />able to drain properly. Earlier this year, the contaminated sand in the bunkers was <br />replaced with new sand. However, this is only a short-term, temporary fix since the faces <br />are still eroding. <br />It is our recommendation that a complete renovation of the bunkers be undertaken to a.) <br />eliminate obsolete or out-of-play bunkers, b.) reduce overall maintenance and repair, c.) <br />improve playability and visual interest and d.) restore the original design intent. <br />1 <br />