Renovation helps western New York course attract state event

Wanakah Country Club, which was founded in 1899 and designed by William Watson, commands sweeping views of Lake Erie and Canada to the North and downtown Buffalo to the east. The club will host the New York State Mid-Amateur Sept. 28-30, marking its first state “major” since completing a renovation led by architect Chris Wilczynski. The tournament will bring the state’s best players 25-and-older to Wanakah. 

“It is a real honor to host such a prestigious event on our newly renovated golf course” Wanakah President Pete Augustine said.  

More than 300 of New York’s top amateur golfers attempted to qualify for the championship at one of 10 sectional qualifiers hosted by member clubs around the various regions of the state. Eligible players must have Handicap Index of 9.4 or less and 128 players advanced to the championship. 

“Even before the renovations, Wanakah was a very good golf course,” said Andrew Hickey, director of rules and competitions at the New York State Golf Association. “But it’s clear that the club prioritized improvements that as a whole elevated the course layout to one of the best in Western New York. Our players are going to enjoy the course and the test that Wanakah will provide.” 

If it were not for the recent renovation, the course may not have attracted such a high-caliber event. “The course sits on relatively flat coastline and was constructed on heavy clay soil, so drainage was poor which resulted in agronomic and playability challenges,” Wanakah superintendent Rich Gladhill said. 

Those challenges were addressed in 2005 when the club created a master plan in conjunction with renowned golf course architect Arthur Hills and then partner Chris Wilczynski. That plan was revamped four years later and the Michigan-based Wilczynski, ASGCA, completed the renovation of the entire 18-hole course to the overwhelming delight of the club's membership earlier this year.
 
“The main reason for the master plan in the first place was to improve the drainage on the golf course,” Wilczynski said. “The property is fairly flat with heavy clay soils, so drainage was always the issue. It was always about drainage and trying to improve the conditions and allow for more days to play golf.” 
Extensive drainage and irrigation work was completed, tees were added to lengthen and shorten the course, greens were expanded, bunkers were rebuilt and repositioned, fairways were contoured, and approximately 500 trees were removed so the course's views of Lake Erie now are even more impressive. “It has been a lot of fun to watch and help orchestrate the transformation of the property,” Wilczynski said.  “From our original vision to the completion of the last hole this past spring, the project has been very rewarding.”
 
“There were years when carts could not be used for weeks at a time,” said Mike Karnath, who is in his fifth year as Wanakah's general manager and COO. “Now we have carts daily, regardless of the amount of rain.” 

“Chris has transformed a few pedestrian holes into holes that now really wow those who play,” Karnath added. “Some good holes became great and some great holes became spectacular. The course is challenging for scratch players yet fair for high handicappers. We have also received an increase in demand from state and local golf associations to host events.” 

Wilczynski also completed the work without having to close the golf course. “This was a unique project in that we didn't shut the course down to implement the plan,” he said. “The members didn't want to lose the golf course.  We worked initially with Eagle Golf Construction and then with TDI Golf Construction for the renovation work.  The collaboration and teamwork between all parties involved allowed us to phase the work over a period with the least impact possible to play and maintenance of the course.” This is a good case study for how a project can be completed in this manner.”
  
Most of the work was done in the spring and autumn shoulder seasons, keeping the course playable throughout the prime summer season. “Our season is short in western New York,” Karnath said. “We wanted to offer members the ability to play and enjoy the course and not lose a full year.” 

Earlier in the season, Wanakah dedicated an elaborate pedestal clock to commemorate the completion of the master plan.  

“Everyone has been thrilled,” Karnath said. “The course now has great playability regardless of the season and it really makes you think about all shots.  Overall, everyone who plays leaves smiling.” 

Wanakah members and officials are excited to see how the best golfers in the state will fare on its newly renovated course. “With our location right on the shore of Lake Erie, the wind here can affect everyone’s strategy, and play a major role in shot decision making,” head professional Marc Rosa said. “Combine the wind, length, new bunkering, and challenging greens the course should be a good test for the Mid- Am participants.”