Hunt Valley Country Club renovation earns national award

Hunt Valley Country Club, an Arcis Golf property in the Maryland, earned the 2017 Design Excellence Recognition from the American Society of Golf Course Architects for its golf course renovation, completed this last spring.

The course renovation was part of a complete transformation of Hunt Valley Country Club, which has undergone a $2.5-million revitalization since Arcis Golf assumed ownership in 2014.

The Hunt Valley project, led by architect Jason Straka of Fry/Straka Global Golf Course Design, created more enhanced shot values while improving the playability of the routings. The strategic removal of select trees opened vistas on numerous holes, while bunkers were refashioned, made deeper, and given high, white-sand faces.

The club’s redesigned 18-hole layout – The Valley —meanders through rolling hills and picturesque valleys. Thick stands of mature trees frame bentgrass fairways and generous greens, along with numerous streams and other water features add to the golf course’s scenic beauty.

Along with a redesign of the course, which was originally laid out in the late 1960s, a new two-tier practice range was created with hitting surfaces of both grass and artificial turf.

Another part of the transformation of Hunt Valley CC is a three-in-one golf course called The Ridge 9, which offers nine holes of golf, along with 18 holes of two other games designed to be played on a traditional golf course: Disc golf and Footgolf. Together, the three-in-one Ridge 9 offers a family-friendly environment unique to the region. The club has created several unique “non-traditional” membership opportunities to showcase the family aspect of the Ridge 9.

The 2017 nominations were reviewed by a panel of golf industry leaders, including representatives of the Club Managers Association of America, Golf Course Builders Association of America, and Golf Course Superintendents Association of America.

“It is an honor for our golf course to be recognized by the American Society of Golf Course Architects,” said Rob Larkin, senior vice president, Private Clubs, for Arcis Golf. “The award represents the level of commitment Arcis Golf has made to the complete transformation of Hunt Valley Country Club, from the course to the clubhouse, that will be enjoyed by the members and community for many years to come.”
The Hunt Valley clubhouse interior was recreated with an open, flowing floorplan that feeds onto an expansive new deck, which offers casual seating areas, tables and chairs surrounding several fire pits – all designed to maximize the views of the surrounding golf course and countryside scenery.

The new member grill – “Canter Kitchen + Cocktails” – is a combination gastropub and sports lounge, with a striking granite-top bar and festive indoor dining area that capitalizes on wrap-around views of the golf course and the magnificent valley below. These recent enhancements are part of Arcis Golf’s commitment to allocate millions of dollars in major capital improvements to its portfolio of nearly 60 public and private facilities nationwide, an indication of the dynamic direction the Dallas-based company is taking in the club industry.

Hunt Valley Country Club is one of 11 courses honored by the sixth annual American Society of Golf Course Architects Design Excellence Recognition Program. Since its creation, the Design Excellence Recognition Program has highlighted the innovation and problem-solving skills required of today’s golf course designs, from new 18-hole layouts to practice facilities and renovations of various sizes.

Photo: Hunt Valley Country Club