1924 Tom Bendelow Design Reopening for Play After Final Project Phase That Included Reconstruction of Practice Area
[CHARLOTTE, N.C.] – Zinkand Golf Design (ZGD) – led by golf course architect David Zinkand and his more than 25 years of experience designing, managing and shaping projects in the field – has completed its latest phase of improvements at Big Foot Country Club, marking another milestone in the thoughtful evolution of the club’s historic 1924 layout originally designed by Tom Bendelow.
The final phase began in Spring 2026 and continued the broader course improvement effort, building on the success of the first two phases. The scope included the reconstruction of the practice range tee and practice green, as well as the addition of numerous sandy hollows across the property.
The enlarged practice putting green provides more hole-location flexibility and improves foot traffic circulation to reduce concentrated wear patterns. The expanded range tee creates operational flexibility, allowing staff to rotate hitting areas more effectively and preserve turf quality. And the sandy hollows, integrated with restraint, add contour and character without increasing maintenance complexity or altering the course’s classic identity.
This most recent work concludes a multi-phase master plan that began in 2024 with a general focus on heightening competitive interest while broadening everyday playability. Bunkers were reshaped and repositioned to better frame shots and highlight preferred angles of play. Playing corridors were adjusted to provide clearer sightlines and more options off the tee. And greens were expanded and subtly recontoured, creating additional hole locations and rewarding precise approaches without sacrificing fairness for everyday play.
“With construction complete and the course to fully reopen in July, Big Foot Country Club will stand as a reflection of our core principles,” said Zinkand, whose other Midwest credits include a renovation of Illinois’ storied Old Elm Club and original design, The Reversible, at Ohio’s Medina Country Club. “Strategic options, connection to the land and a genuine sense of adventure define the experience.”
A centerpiece of the masterplan was reversing the routing of holes 12 through 14, thereby improving continuity across the back nine and introducing a more compelling sequence over the property’s most visually engaging ground. Select tree removal has restored long-range vistas and highlighted the property’s mature hardwoods.
“Dave is so good at taking what the land presents and making it that much more interesting for golf,” said Matthew Leinen, Big Foot’s superintendent. “He and his staff are meticulous with how they approach their work, which was deeply appreciated by our staff and the club membership. We’re excited to have our full 18 holes back open for play but also look forward to Dave’s’s continued knowledge, professionalism and dedication as smaller, more nuanced grounds enhancements continue at Big Foot.”
Located about one hour southwest of Milwaukee and two hours northwest of Chicago, Big Foot Country Club opened in 1924. The club takes its name from Chief Big Foot and nearby ponds once considered sacred to Native Americans, which remain visible below the clubhouse. Over the decades, the course has hosted numerous United States Golf Association championship qualifiers and Wisconsin PGA championships.
For more information about ZGD, visit zinkandgolfdesign.com or @zinkandgolfdesign (Instagram).
About Zinkand Golf Design
Zinkand Golf Design stresses three overarching principles — Strategic Options, Sense of Adventure and Genius Loci — to guide clients through project completion. Adapting these principles in a site-specific manner allows the firm to deliver cost-efficient results that elevate artistry while emphasizing practical, long-term maintenance. Principal designer David Zinkand, PLA, ASLA, developed this philosophy while studying the great courses of Great Britain and Ireland as a Dreer Award recipient and later refined it during 14 years working alongside Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw. Recent clients include Old Elm Club (IL), Monterey Peninsula C.C. (CA), Sharon Golf Club (OH) and Chechessee Creek Club (SC).
