The Lakes

Architects: Bruce Devlin & Robert von Hagge
Renovation: Mike Clayton & colleagues

The Lakes lost its original course in the late 1960s when the airport-to-city freeway was built through the middle of the site. Bruce Devlin and Robert von Hagge built a new course, but thirty years of unwise meddling and ill-considered tree planting led to the members wanting the course “fixed”.

Mike was part of the team that rebuilt the greens, bunkers and tees as well as removing trees to regain the links feel of the earlier course.

Tom Doak referenced this project in The Confidential Guide to Golf Courses thus:

“It’s often said in the golf development business that “the third time is the charm” but The Lakes is the only modern course I can think of where it’s true of redesign efforts. (Muirfield is an older example.) … Michael Clayton’s newer version keeps the water-laden Devlin / von Hagge routing but totally reimagines the strategy with some of the boldest greens contouring I’ve seen on a modern design. … The new version of The Lakes is a compelling test, a must-see in a city desperately short on compelling golf.”