EarthGolf

Fred Couples is collaborating with architect Gene Bates in BC, Canada on a golf course named The Rise.

Freddie was as impressed with the architectural artistry of his longtime associate as everyone else viewing the layout situated a breathtaking 1,000 feet above the south and north arms of Okanagan Lake for the first time on Friday.

“It’s not hard to make a golf course,” Couples said following his first tramp around the incredible site, “but it’s really, really hard to make it look spectacular. Once you get up here it’s really unbelievable. The golf holes Gene has made are spectacular. … It’s going to be beautiful.”

Bates and Couples have put their names on 16 courses which just happens to be the number of years they have been collaborating. Bates does the designs and Couples comes in at the end and they tweak a few things. “We’re going to re-design the bunkering [on the 14th hole],” said Couples. “That’s a big deal.”

Bates said Couples “gives much more than that.” For instance, they are planting a mature tree on a hole just to make it look better to Couples’ eye. Part of the bunkering is being changed to bring the wild sage more into play. The extra costs to owner/developer Leona Snider and her partner Ian Renton, apparently, aren’t an issue.

Just some examples of the professional golfer adding to the architectural interest of a golf course.

To be clear, Gene Bates, and in particular his design associate Matt Swanson, are underated in the design industry. Swanson has shown incredible talent on a number of courses like Hamilton Mill and Carolina National.

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