Michigan club retains Chris Wilczynski to develop master plan

The board of directors at Travis Pointe Country Club in Ann Arbor, Michigan, has retained Christopher Wilczynski, ASGCA of C.W. Golf Architecture, to develop a golf course master plan to improve and help reposition the private, member-owned club as one of the best courses in Michigan.

Established in 1977, the 18-hole par-72 golf course sits on 220 acres and was originally designed by golf architect Bill Newcomb. The club has played host to the LPGA Volvik Championship, and several other tournaments, including the EPSON Tour, the Michigan Amateur Championship, the U.S. Mid-Amateur Qualifying, and numerous U.S. Open and U.S. Senior Open qualifiers. 

“With Travis Pointe’s 50^th anniversary quickly approaching, we have the perfect opportunity to enhance the sustainability, playability and enjoyment of our number one asset, the golf course, for every level of golfer,” said Chris Fairman, Travis Pointe Country Club board member. “Chris brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table, and we are all eager to work together to make this club the best it can be for the foreseeable future.”

Wilczynski, a landscape architect by education, has been practicing golf course architecture for more than 30 years. His firm is currently involved with several golf course master planning and renovation projects throughout the Midwest and Florida as well as new golf course residential communities in Florida and Georgia. 

Goals for the development of the master plan:

• Modernize the course for sustainability.
• Reduce maintenance costs including labor, chemicals, water and equipment.
• Increase playability and “fun-factor” for every category of member and playing ability from kids to seniors.
• Develop internal angles within each hole to create risk/reward shot values.
• Create a short, drivable par 4.
• Develop new bunker design and aesthetic.
• Simplify and reorganize the tee complexes.
• Improve the complete member/guest experience with efficiency and “flow” to and from the golf course for pre- and post-round activities.

“I am thrilled for the opportunity to work with the Travis Pointe master plan committee and board of directors to develop the improvement plans for the golf course,” Wilczynski said. “I have also been a member at TPCC since 2016 and have played the course countless times with my family and friends so I know the course intimately and have visualized many times how I would improve and enhance the architecture.”

The master plan will be completed at the end of summer and presented to the membership. Further discussions will follow to determine the timing and implementation of the plan.