In The News

January 17, 2005

From the Architect of Black Diamond Golf Club

Some fifteen years ago I was invited by owner Jason Kunii to view a piece of land he owned with the idea of perhaps building a golf course.

We arranged a meeting time and as I traveled up the #115 highway toward the golf course site I began to realize how picturesque the country side had become.  Huge stands of mature pine forests created a beautiful park like setting.

As I approached the driveway I quickly realized why Mr. Kunii, who spent several years in search of his dream property, had come to purchase this magnificent 200 acre parcel of land.

The driveway ended at the top of a hill approximately in the middle of the property.  Obviously the stunning hilltop view lent itself to a future club house site with ample room for #1 and #10 tees and two greens, #9 and #18, with an envelope for a driving range as well as putting and chipping greens.

Upon meeting Mr. Kunii, we set out on what was to be one of many walks both before and during the original routing process.

Each time I went to walk the property I would see different features and outstanding topography not seen in previous walks due to the density of the bush covering 70% of the property.

The property lends itself to so many natural green and tee sites which would allow us to build a very unique golf course without moving a lot of material.

We quickly received approvals for a golf course but it took many years to enter into a partnership in order to finance the project.

A partnership was formed with a few local businessmen and a P.G.A. golf professional.  Together they have brought forth many great ideas that have helped to build Black Diamond into a must see destination golf course.

Whether a beginner or accomplished player I believe Black Diamond has golf for everyone and at the end of their golf day I believe their thoughts will be “How soon can I return”.

The natural topography with large elevation changes, five dog legs left, five dog legs right certainly rewards a shot maker who can work the ball left to right and right to left from one hole to the next.

The 7,100 yards of Black Diamond has beauty & challenge at every turn.

The dwarf blue fairways are generous in width but beware of the blue grass roughs and especially the fescues on the rolling hillsides.

The par 5s are long and without a large wind assist are 3 shot par 5s.  The par 3s are strong but fair including #4 and #7 which share an 18,000 square foot green.

Although the front nine will allow for the odd wayward tee shot the entire back nine holes are cut out of the pine and cedar forests.

The four water holes will test the golfers’ individual ability but will allow every player to enjoy their unique beauty.

In my view the eleventh hole is the prettiest I have ever seen.  It was set there by Mother Nature; we just finished it off with some tee decks, a green, a few large yawning bunkers and a pond that one must carry with their tee shot.

The entire golf course was soded and with mature bush, pristine bent grass greens and tees, by early summer of 2005 the course will appear to have been there many years.

I know golfers of all abilities will enjoy the option of four different tee decks and regardless of which set they pick I feel it will be a golf day to remember.

Black Diamond offering unexpected elevation changes, exciting dog legs and stunning water holes will truly show the difference between a round of golf and a great golfing experience.

As an architect having designed and built over 20 golf courses, I am very grateful for the opportunity to design and build Black Diamond as it is the finest natural piece of land I have ever had the privilege to work with.

- Jack Lally, Jack Lally Golf Consultant