THE KNOLLWOOD C.C. CLUBHOUSE

THE HISTORIC AND CLASSIC LAKE FOREST COUNTRY CLUB KNOLLWOOD, is currently undergoing
a renovation by the king of classic course renovations and restorations, architect Keith Foster.

KNOLLWOOD a 1924 gem designed by the firm of H.S. Colt and C.S. Alison, has hosted the 1956 USGA
Amateur, the 1982 USGA Mid-AM, and the 1986 PGA Cup Championship won the by the United States
16-9 over the team from Great Britain.

The golf course will join the clubhouse which underwent renovations in the last few years. An early look
at the current renovations by GOG, shows a course about to become the buzz of Chicago's North Shore
golf community.

                                                  
                                                                  KNOLLWOOD 12TH HOLE

Foster along with the renovation crew he used at the famous Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth TX., is
racing the clock to finish the upgrades before old man winter sets into the Chicagoland area. Knollwood
is among the latest historic golf clubs to hire Foster, whose renovation work at the Detroit Country Club 
opened the eyes of many clubs, looking to bring their historic clubs into the modern golf era, while keeping
it's historic charms and traditions.

         KEITH FOSTER (Brown Jacket by Green) AND CREW DURING RENOVATIONS ON THE 9TH HOLE

Classic bunker design, restoring of original green sizes and patterns, movement of fairways to where
they had originally been, while adding very subtle undulations to both fairways and greens, are some
of the changes and upgrades that Foster brings to his classic course work. Foster is also credited for
making many of his courses excellent walking courses, which pleases many members and public
golfers who who love that aspect of golfs great traditions.


                                                                    KNOLLWOOD 13TH HOLE

While Knollwood C.C. is a private club, the general golfing public can see Foster's work just a little
further up the road in Lake County at Shepherd's Crook in Zion. Shepherd's Crook operated by the
Zion Park District is an original Foster design and has been open since 1999. "The Crook" as it's
known by some, is working with Foster to get him back on the property for a ten year tuneup. Earlier
this year Golfweek Magazine named Shepherd's Crook the 18th best municipal golf course in the
country. A return visit by Foster can only move Shepherd's Crook up that list.

In addition to his work at Knollwood, Foster has quietly in recent years elevated his reputation by
turning out classic renovation's at Omaha (NE) Country Club. Which shortly after re-opening landed
the 2013 US Sr. Open, the Louisville (KY) Country Club, Eastward Ho Country Club in Chattam (MA)
that now sits 87th on the Golfweek Magazine's America's Greatest 100 Classic Course list.

Another of Foster's original course designs the award winning Harvester Golf Club in Rhodes (IA),
(Golfweek Magazine America's Greatest 100 Modern courses # 73) is also undergoing a ten year tune
up. Foster says that a few new strategic bunkers will be in place, along with changes to the closing
holes, like the par 3 17th and the par 5 18th. New rock edges along the water area's on both holes,
should give the course a new look and feel.

 
A NEW ROCK WALL FRONTS THE PAR 3 17TH HOLE      A  SECOND WATER CROSSING ON 18 IS FILLED IN 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 TO HEAR Rory's interview with Keith Foster on his renovations at Knollwood C.C., The Harvester,
the building of Shepherd's Crook, and the classic 18th hole at Hurstbourne C.C., plus some of
Keith's other current and future projects. CLICK HERE.
                                                                                                                                       

Download | Duration: 00:37:04

GOG also visited another Foster public course near St. Louis the Gateway Golf links, in Madison IL.
Foster makes great use of the historic landmark the St. Louis Arch, in helping golfers line up a few
shots at GWGL.

GOG also saw three other private clubs with Foster's touch on them this year, the Mission Hills (1914)
Country Club in Kansas City (KS), Hurstbourne Country Club Louisville (KY) that has the best 18th
hole that's a Par 3 anywhere (With my apologies to Pasatiempo, Cascades, Great White at the
Greenbrier and Congressional) and the Hermitage Country Club in Manakin-Sabot (VA) the home
of Arnold Palmers last win on the Senior (Champions) Tour. All of which are great test's of golf.


                                                           HURSTBOURNE C.C. PAR 3 18TH HOLE

When Knollwood re-opens in 2010, one can bet that's it's members will be hearing from friends
about wanting to play Knollwood again. Maybe the USGA will come knocking too, when it looks
for a home for one of it's championships that needs a historic-classic club look and feel to it.

For more on Keith Fosters design work, visit his website at www.keithfosterdesign.com 

BY....RORY SPEARS