Welsh golf architect Ian Scott-Taylor has completed the design and construction of an innovative six-hole golf course for 55+ community homebuilder The McKee Group.
Last year, The McKee Group contracted Ian Scott-Taylor, Golf Architect LLC, to design and build an innovative six-hole, Old World style golf course to support the 55+ lifestyle at Foxfield Clubhouse Community in Garnet Valley, Pa., which also includes a clubhouse, pool, and tennis for residents. Europe’s first six-hole course opened in 2006 at the Northwick Park Golf Course in the Watford Road section of London. A handful of six-hole courses exist in the US, mostly built between 1910 and 1940. Today, more six-hole golf courses have been built and are being planned in the US for time-strapped golfers and sites with smaller tracts of land.
Foxfield is a new 55+ community being developed by the McKee Group, which is located 20 miles outside of Philadelphia. The course acts as a centerpiece in the marketing efforts of closing sales on remaining single family, carriage style and villa homes in the Foxfield Clubhouse Community. George T. Hyjurick, McKee’s VP of Land Development, said, “We had originally wanted a nine-hole course but Ian knew the space we had allocated for the course was not large enough. He proposed a fairly new concept – the six-hole course – that ended up being a win-win for both McKee and the homeowners. We estimate that 20% of our signed contracts were confirmed due to having this course.”
The course architect, Ian Scott-Taylor remarks, “In general, residents of 55+ communities are savvy and discerning consumers. They expect a certain level of lifestyle and amenities that can be commanded by age-specific neighborhoods. The McKee Group was able to meet those needs at the Foxfield location by committing to build a marketable, Old World style golf course while at the same time keeping the maintenance costs in line with the community’s other amenities.”
The course construction was completed in late summer 2007 and it will be opened for play in summer 2008.
