Laserfiche WebLink
SECTION 8.0 GOLF COURSE AREAS <br /> Golf originated in Scotland in "linkslands" near the sea. Links courses were developed on <br /> lands in close proximity to river estuaries and consisted of rich alluvial deposits of soil left <br /> upon sand dunes. Early "links" style golf courses included many natural features, such as <br /> sandy areas, sheep formed pits ("bunkers"), and coarse grassy areas, many of which <br /> constituted natural hazards that have contributed to some of the challenging aspects of the <br /> game. Golf courses then evolved to fit heathland environments in England, and later to <br /> the many kinds of landscapes in America. Eventually,various philosophical approaches to <br /> golf architecture developed,including penal, strategic, and heroic schools (Cornish and <br /> Whitten, 1988). While many natural features were designed into courses,they were <br /> usually done so from an aesthetic perspective or a need to provide golf with challenging <br /> hazards. Little attention has been given to optimizing functional,ecological values of <br /> natural areas within the golf course. Many today's golf courses are epitomized by an <br /> increasingly artificial look, with boundary-to-boundary irrigated and maintained areas <br /> which incorporate the use of non-native plants in place of natural communities and wetland <br /> ponds that provide little value to wildlife. <br /> 8.1 Sanctuary Golf Course <br /> The approach that has evolved in designing the Buckeye Ranch golf area is a departure <br /> from the artificiality exemplified in many American golf courses. Creative and sensitive <br /> design features that incorporate a functional biological and natural resource perspective are <br /> proposed for Buckeye Ranch. The concept of a "sanctuary" golf course includes <br /> innovative ways of balancing the various needs of golf-- such as playability,challenge, <br /> aesthetics -- with open space values-- such as self-sustaining and interacting native plant <br /> communities and habitat for indigenous wildlife. The term "sanctuary course" is perhaps <br /> Buckeye Ranch Resource Plan (November, 1993) <br /> 214 <br />