addition of mowed collection, or chipping areas near greens is part of the work. “It’s a refresh, a modernization,” Racher said. “We have been open almost 100 years and very little has been done to the course over the years in terms of renovation. Art Hills did some work on a few holes in the 1990s. That’s it that I know of. I think this will refresh things. We are landlocked, so we will stay at just under 6,300 yards. But the presence of the place will change.” The renovation and restoration work at White Lake Golf Club is part of a master plan created by Holland-based architect Raymond Hearn. The club first opened in 1916 and includes an original nine holes designed by the legendary Tom Bendelow. A completely new third hole along with dramatic changes to the fourth hole will emerge this summer. Both the third and fourth holes have been closed for the season. The third hole will become and an entirely new par 3. White Lake is blessed to be located in an area of natural sand and Hearn has added dramatic sand and natural grass waste areas to the fourth hole. “The original nine on the north side of the road is the Bendelow nine, while the holes on the south side were the addition added by the club members, but all the holes look like they are Bendelow inspired,” Hearn said. “He clearly influenced the entire design and I feel the greatest tribute you can make to a designer is to honor the routing of the course and also honor the original shapes and forms of the greens and bunkers.” A aerial photograph from 1930 was used by Hearn to create the renovation plan. Hearn said work on the second hole last summer, which included shifting the fairway for playability and adding a significant runoff area on the right side and behind the green, produced positive feedback from the club. “We are excited about the designs and work Ray Hearn is doing because they fit perfectly with our goals of attracting new members and restoring
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