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Master Plan Launch June 5, 2026
Over 100 members gathered to celebrate the start of a new golf season and the launch of the Northumberland Links Master
Plan!
The evening began with Christine Fraser, course architect, sharing her experience creating the plan over the last 2 years, drawing on her site visits, interactions with members, and their member surveys. She thanked everyone for their willingness to participate in the Master Plan’s development.
Alan Archibald, club president, walked us through areas that were of interest to the members:
•resources needed: We are committed to the implementation of the Master Plan, subject to having the resources needed! Pay as we go and only what we can afford.
•member engagement: This is everyone’s Master Plan! We want to make the details accessible to everyone. We relied on the experience and design talents of a course architect to recreate our golf course after Fiona roared through, forever changing its landscape. We want and welcome your feedback and engagement on what you heard and saw at the reception. Please see the email link below to share your feedback.
•establishing priorities: a criterion has been established and will be used to determine which project will be “the next project!”
•pace of renovation: a slower approach than previous years. Using our in-house staff and resources requires a slower pace of work.
John Mills shared an update on the current project, the Circulation area and Driving range.
Q&A Session:
•What’s next? This question was asked in a few different ways. The answer is that it hasn't been decided yet! We are committed to finishing the work on the current project, the Driving range and Circulation area, before moving on to any new work.
•What about the finishing details on the completed holes? That is still a work in progress while waiting for the grass to grow. The drought last year really stalled the process of having a completed finish look, but that is the intent.
•How will the board decide what to do? This question was also asked a few different ways. The Greens Committee Chair, Brenda MacDonald, shared the process that the Greens Committee has been developing to determine what impact each project will have on the course using a rating system that takes into account 1) disruption, 2) player experience, 3) course sustainability, and 4) marketability.
•Hole #15…can Christine explain why a whole new hole? Christine walked us through all the different ways she looked at the existing #15 and how she could improve upon it. It was ranked the least favourite hole in the member survey. She concluded that the new hole would be a much better fit. It could be worked on while the other hole was still in play; it will be approximately 3-4m less steep with a more forgiving green, etc.
•Is it possible to work on the existing Tees to create better yardages? John answered this question. New tee boxes could be one of the priorities or upcoming projects if that was the direction we wanted to take. Any of the plan details could potentially be. The next steps are to determine which projects are of interest to start with, what our resources allow and use the Greens Committee criteria to make a decision.
•How to provide feedback? The design of the holes has been completed by Christine, and the pictures and accompanying descriptions have been blown up to 6 posters that will be on display throughout the clubhouse. Where members can engage, and are really encouraged to do so, is in telling John and the Board what your priorities are? Where would you like to see work begin? What holes and/or features are you interested in seeing brought to life? Please share using the email link below.
A suggestion was made about creating some sort of collaborative way for members to engage with each other and the Board on the Master Plan. If anyone has any suggestions on what that could look like, please reach out using the email link below.
Questions and Comments post discussion:
Are we currently fundraising, and is there a way for people to leave money to the course? Offers to help if needed.
•We are not currently fundraising. We are using the resources we generate each season to pay for the work in the following season. Thank you for the offers to help in that area if needed!
•Yes, there is.
Can the criteria for deciding projects be shared with members?
•Yes, it can and will be in the weekly newsletter
Thank you to everyone who came out to be part of the evening!
Thank you for bringing your questions, your interest and your enthusiasm.
You shared with us your love for this golf course, your appreciation for the changes already completed, and your excitement for what’s coming!
*The completed master plan is attached and will also be available on the portal.
Master Plan Feedback Email:
masterplan@northumberlandlinks.com