9 DIGEST Photo: Erbil Golf Club Dye McGarey designs Iraq’s first golf course Construction work is progressing on the first golf course in Iraq. Designed by Cynthia Dye McGarey, ASGCA, the course is located in Erbil, capital of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, in the north of the country. The first phase was completed last year and included grassing holes ten to twelve and sixteen to eighteen. All other holes were rough-shaped in autumn, with Turkish contractor Daax Construction starting the second phase in March 2021. “The course is routed through a valley,” said Dye McGarey. “Most holes border a meandering stream and lakes that flow from the north end of the site to the south. Mediterranean-style villas will surround the perimeter of the course on the adjacent hills. “The site was previously planted with wheat and had several goat farms. It reminds me of the site at Paiute Golf Resort in Las Vegas, but Erbil has more topography, and the dirt is better.” Cedar Hills Golf Club, located between Provo and Salt Lake City in Utah, has hired John Fought, ASGCA, to design a new six-hole par-three course. The city-owned club has an 18-hole layout designed by ASGCA Past Presidents Robert Muir Graves and Damian Pascuzzo. Fought’s short course will have holes ranging from 60 to 115 yards and will be built adjacent to the eighteenth hole. It replaces the driving range and addresses safety issues that have arisen in recent years. “Short courses have many advantages, and they are ideal for those with a shorter time window – a round can be completed in about 45 minutes,” said Fought. Image: John Fought, ASGCA Fought plans new six-hole layout for Cedar Hills
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