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For
nearly 40 years, Roquemore has traveled around the globe designing
more than 100 golf courses, creating a body of work that represents
a significant legacy to the sport he loves. Roquemore, who helped
design the first three courses at Walt Disney World while working
with the prolific Joe Lee, is also the man responsible for Chicago's
Pine Meadow (Golf Digest's Best New Course of 1986); Portugual's
Quinta da Ria and San Lorenzo (both consistently ranked among
the top three courses in Europe); Tennessee's Stonehenge (Golf
Digest's Best New Resort Course of 1986); and a significant re-design
of Chicago landmark Cog Hill, site of the BMW Championship.
But in all his travels, the Lakeland, Ga. native has also endeavored
to learn from his golfing elders. He went out of his way to study
the techniques of early designers including Willie Park (Olympia
Fields), Allister McKenzie (Augusta National) and William Flynn
(Shinnecock Hills), determined to learn not just how they carved
up plots of land, but why.
"They didn't have the options we have today in terms of technology,
and consequently, their designs fit more naturally into the flow
of the land than a lot of today's courses," Roquemore said.
After many years of developing modern-style resort courses, Roquemore's
appreciation for the enduring masterpieces of his predecessors
was given voice in his latest creation, The Fairways of Canton,
in bustling Cherokee County, north of Atlanta.
"You might say we're taking the golfer back in time,"
Roquemore said. "This is very different from anything I've
ever done, and it's very different from any other course in this
area."
Created through an unusual public-private partnership, The Fairways,
which opened in November 2007, is a private club owned by the
city of Canton and managed by Roquemore's company, which holds
a long-term lease. Local residents are automatically eligible
for membership, but must apply, be accepted and pay fees like
with other private clubs.
When he first saw the piece of land that would become The Fairways,
Roquemore planned to sketch something modern against the hilly
terrain. Then he was hit with a bolt of inspiration. "The
property was very rugged…it reminded me of an old North Carolina
mountain course, although technically, it's not in the mountains,"
he recalled. "So I thought: Here's my chance to go retro.
This will work better if I try to mimic some of the old designers
who really had to follow the terrain, because they didn't have
a choice."
Liberated from the need to dramatically alter the harshest aspects
of the landscape—which include some breath-taking vistas,
especially looking out from the No. 9 tee, where a golfer can
see several counties in the distance—Roquemore produced a
challenging and picturesque course that echoes the sport's past.
Anyone who has ever played Merion, Pine Valley, Seminole or Cypress
Point will understand the sensibility behind The Fairways' creation.
The par 72 layout, which plays 6,500 yards, features a much steeper
overall design than most golfers ever experience. Golfers accustomed
to playing other courses in the metro Atlanta area may be surprised
by The Fairways' deep bunkers; short, narrow fairways; and small
greens.
"This course will be a real departure for the typical golfer
in this area," Roquemore said. "Many of them will hate
it. But they will come away from playing here feeling that they
have had a totally different sort of golf experience."
Like many old-style courses, The Fairways can at times prove much
more punishing than typical modern layouts. "There are areas
on this course where you will be penalized significantly for hitting
your ball in the wrong place," Roquemore said, adding, "which
is the way it should be." The designer readily admits that
several of his par 4s will play more like par 5s for the average
golfer, reminiscent of many old courses that have had to reduce
par due to length. Holes No. 4, 12 and 13—all par 4s—will
vie for toughest challenge on the course. "The only word
to describe No. 4 is torturous," he said with a laugh. "Most
folks playing that hole will be glad to settle for a bogey."
Several holes were designed to resemble some of Roquemore's favorites,
including No. 6 (which will draw comparisons to No. 13 at Augusta
National) and No. 7 (very similar to No. 9 at Cypress Point, his
favorite course).
"The Fairways is like my tribute to the way golf used to
be," Roquemore said.
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