Stephen Hicks (2)
Bull’s Bridge Golf Club in South Kent, Connecticut, is preparing to unveil renovated bunkers to its members in 2024 following a project guided by Fazio Design and superintendent Stephen Hicks.
The golf course master plan called for new bunkers to be added to eight holes (1, 3, 6, 9, 10, 13, 17 and 18). On these and other holes, bunkers were repositioned to improve visibility or removed to address changes in equipment and enhance course playability.
Other on-course work included strategic bentgrass fairway and short-cut approach expansion and the building of additional tees on select holes. New back tees were added on Nos. 2, 9 and 18, and new forward tees were added on Nos. 3, 6, 10 and 17. The new gold tee distance will be about 7,200 yards.
The project marked the first major renovation of the golf course since Bull’s Bridge opened in 2004. McDonald & Sons served as the construction contractor.
“The renovation was a great success,” Hicks said. “Our former bunkers demanded a huge amount of maintenance hours for all the wrong reasons. The new bunkers, including significant drainage enhancements, are performing very well.”
Hicks added, “It’s a great feeling to improve the look and playability of the golf course for our members, while at the same time maximizing the efficiency of our grounds maintenance operations.”
The project was undertaken with the support of the club’s long-range planning committee. Assistant superintendents Nick Capozzi and Jason McPhail played an integral role in the renovation’s successful outcome.
Bull’s Bridge also announced a clubhouse expansion has been approved by the local zoning commission. Erik Furno of Furno Architects, with offices in Old Greenwich and Westbrook, Connecticut, has redesigned the existing clubhouse and designed a new Golf House in a separate structure, connected by a breezeway. Furno’s firm is noted for using local artisans, craftsman and materials, with a focus on sustainable design.
The kitchen and dining room in the existing building will be expanded. The Golf House will include well-appointed locker rooms and a new golf shop.
“This is an exciting time at Bull’s Bridge, with these significant upgrades being made to enhance overall member enjoyment of our facilities,” general manager Brian Freeswick said.
