Tripp Davis is transforming the shoreline of Lake Lewisville again, this time with Justin Leonard as design partner.

New Course at The Tribute to Reflect American Classics

by Rick Adams
Managing Editor, JustinLeonard.com

When the Justin Leonard - Tripp Davis collaboration at The Tribute opens in 2009, golfers will be able to experience holes representing the best of Scottish architecture and holes reminiscent of the ‘Golden Age’ of American design -- all in one location on the shores of Lake Lewisville in The Colony, Texas, just a few miles northeast of the Dallas/Fort Worth airport.

Davis’ ‘Old Course’ links-style layout at The Tribute, which opened in 1999, is inspired by 18 of the finest holes from Scotland, such as the famous ‘Road Hole’ 17th at St. Andrews and the ‘Postage Stamp’ par-3 8th at Royal Troon. The original 18 at The Tribute is rated one of the Top 100 public courses in the US.

The ’New Course’ will not be inspired by any particular holes. Rather, it will reflect the spirit of early American layouts such as Shinnecock Hills, Maidstone, and other timeless tracks which were originally routed in the late 19th century and early 20th. "This layout will be inspired by the art and strategy of such courses. And we're going to make it look like it's been here for 100 years," Davis says.

“We’d like to be one of only a few 36-hole facility with two public courses in the Top 100,” Leonard suggests. This would put the Tribute in the elite company of such facilities as Bandon Dunes and Whistling Straits. “Our goal is to put a great product out there that everyone enjoys playing.”

If the weather cooperates in the coming months, Davis expects to have the New Course grassed by September. The targeted opening is June 2009.

The layout is “pretty much done,” according to Davis. A ceremonial groundbreaking was held in February, and contractor Neibur Golf Development of Fort Collins, Colorado, is shaping the tees, fairways, and greens. Neibur is also working with Davis and Leonard on the Orvis Shorefox Justin Leonard Signature course in Granby, Colorado.

Davis will be on site at The Tribute almost weekly this spring and summer, traveling south from his Norman, Oklahoma office. Leonard expects to join him often during weeks he is not competing on the PGA TOUR. Justin’s Dallas home is convenient to the New Course site.

“Our goal is to put a great product out there that everyone enjoys playing.” -- Justin Leonard

A Strategic Design

As a strategic-minded shotmaker with experience playing hundreds of golf courses, Leonard’s role in the partnership is to offer opinions on such playability features as the green complexes and bunkering. “The strategy on bunker placement has become much more difficult because of how far people can hit the golf ball these days,” Justin explains. “Placement, size, depth, different wind conditions. Does a player hitting a 9 iron out of a bunker face the same degree of difficulty as a player farther back hitting a 6-iron? There are a lot of things to think about.” In keeping with the early American flavor, the bunkers will be large and flanked by native grasses.

“Once the routing was approved, we worked together on features and the design of how we want a hole to play,” Tripp says. “One of the good things Justin’s done is to ask questions. He’s still learning quite a bit. He continually thinks of ways to question what we’re doing.”

Davis is particularly pleased with the finishing stretch of holes, 14 through 18. “They are unique from each other.” The 16th is a drivable par-4 with a small but severe green. “If you put it in the wrong position off the tee, you can make 5 real quick.” No. 17 is a par-3 of about 150 yards to a small green which falls off on all sides -- “similar to a lot of greens you see at Shinnecock. There will be some interesting chip shots.”

The par-5 finishing hole is “very reachable in two shots, even from the back tees,” Davis notes. “It’s very easy to get around the green,” he explains, but birdie isn’t a given with the small, elevated tabletop-style green.

The architect sees great dramatic potential coming down the stretch. “You can be 3 holes down and still be in the match. There are opportunities and dangers.”

Eleven of the 18 holes route along the shores of Lake Lewisville. “It’s a very dramatic piece of property,” Leonard says. “It will be very playable,” he promises, “even in the wind.”

Davis is particularly pleased with the finishing stretch of holes, 14 through 18. “They are unique..."

A New Routing

In the original New Course routing, established a decade ago when the Old Course was built at The Tribute, the 18th was planned as the 17th. The original 18th is now No. 1. “We were trying to create an interesting risk-reward par-4, but just didn’t have the room,” Davis recalls.

The 18th would have ended at the base of the current Tribute clubhouse. Now the New Course will include its own small clubhouse, providing a bit of a separate identity. The New Course will also be bordered by “high-end homes (only on one side of six holes) and resort style elements including a hotel and beach club,” according to developers Matthews Southwest and Wynne/Jackson.

It was fortuitous, though, that a basic routing was established for the New Course as part of the master development plan 10 years ago. The environmental assessment impact study done then was grandfathered in. “The Army Corps of Engineers [which has jurisdiction over Lake Lewisville and shoreline properties] is no longer allowing these types of public/private joint ventures,” according to Davis.

Even the simplest changes can become extremely complicated. “One little change can have a domino effect down the line,” Davis says.

The New Course will be due east of the Old Course. For those familiar with The Tribute entrance, instead of making the final right turn toward the Old Course clubhouse, keep going straight. The first hole of the New Course is north of the common driving range, along the current entry road.

Shared Philosophies

Davis’ and Leonard’s golf paths originally crossed nearly 20 years ago when Justin was in high school. He met Tripp on a recruiting visit to the University of Oklahoma, where Davis played from 1985-89. “I followed Justin’s career,” Davis recalls, and about 5 years ago they talked about working together “if the right project came along.”

Their first teaming came in Colorado, though the Orvis Shorefox development cannot proceed as quickly because of the short season in the Rocky Mountains. It may open in late 2009 though 2010 is more likely.

When The Tribute developers asked Davis if he was open to using a touring pro as part of the New Course design team, he told them, “I don’t want to work with just anybody, particularly someone who makes no contribution.” They talked with Leonard, and “it was a perfect fit.”

“We share a lot of the same philosophies,” Justin echoes. “We have similar likes and dislikes.”

"In the end,” Leonard says, “I hope people say, 'You know what? He helps build a course that you want to go out and play again.'"