Golf Course Plans Proceed School Explores World-Cass Links
By Kristen Raddatz ’09
News Reporter
Wallingford may soon boast a world-class golf course, and its home may be right here at Choate. The recent possibility of a new course at Choate has attracted the interest and questions of many on campus. The plans are not yet distinct, but most aspects of the proposed course have been discussed.
The main funding for this project would be supported by Chairman of the Board of Trustees Mr. Herbert Kohler Jr., a Choate alum and avid golf fan. In explaining this endeavor Kohler stated in an interview with the News, “I am offering an opportunity to explore the feasibility of a world class golf course in this adjoining green space with the purpose of trying to preserve green space over the long term with a productive use controlled by the school”.
One difficulty with the plan is location. The discussed place for the golf course to be built is in a section that includes property on the upper campus on Choate’s northeast quadrant. This is also the site of a wetland area. If the course were to be built, the land would have to be mitigated beforehand. Not only is this a hassle for the actual construction of the course, but it also provides complications to the permitting process. The problem lies in replacing the current wetlands with not only more wetlands but also wetlands that support more life. The land being built on must be replaced with an area of water that inhabits new creatures, such as birds, frogs, or fish, in a way that the original ecosystem didn’t. This mitigation process would consume a large portion of the proposed twenty million dollar donation from Kohler. Of the permitting process Kohler says, “It’s a good, healthy give and take with the government, several governments- federal, state, local-until you arrive at an acceptable solution that still maintains a world class golf course and yet has a healthy wetland”.
The list of positive implications a new course would have on Choate is long, but no unit at school would benefit more than the golf team. With several benefits, these plans would evolve the team’s practices, and take the golf program to a new level.
First, daily practice would be much more effective. Says head coach of the golf team, Robert DeMarco, “Even though the course we use has treated us very well, the team would get more productive practice sessions hitting balls and bunker shots, and working on the short game (chipping and putting) on a regular basis”.
The addition of a campus golf course would also mean a rise in the number of home matches. As of now, the team only has two home matches a year, and not one on a Saturday. With a large course on campus, more local competition is possible.
The formation of a girls’ golf team would also be a possibility with the building of a new course. There has been talk of support for a female golf team for awhile now. A beautiful new course could attract prospective golfers who are looking at Choate. Even current students who enjoy golf as a simple pastime might be swayed to try out for the golf team in the spring.
Beyond the practical use a course would have for the golf team is also the pleasurable reasons. There is a wide range of golf-lovers on Choate’s campus, from faculty and students alike. With the large amount of golf-playing inhabitants, this project is likely to be well-received with support.
While it is uncertain at this point whether or not the golf course plans will move forward, that a new golf course would have a large impact is undeniable. There is a definite chance that they could follow through and Choate will eventually be able to add world-class golf course to its list of attributes.
