OSAM: When was the decision made to renovate the course?

BROWN: Actually it was thought about back in 1998. We had a (cost) overrun on the first part of (the Ohio Stadium renovation) so they put us on hold until they found out how much the stadium was going to cost. But we started talking about it in the middle 90s, and then we got serious about it about two years ago. When we got the gift from the Phippses, that was very important. We got a $10.5 million endowment for the golf course and golf team from Mr. and Mrs. Al Phipps in Canton. Then we had the money to do it. Money was a big factor at the time and when they gave us that donation, it put us over the top in terms of getting started.

OSAM: Once you made the decision to do a renovation, how did the process go in terms of assessing the course and deciding what needed to be done?

BROWN: Well, we knew all along we wanted to do the bunkers because our bunkers were not draining and every time we had a tournament here they were flooding or causing us not to finish tournaments. They were like birdbaths out there. We knew we needed to change the bunkers and put them in play for college kids because on the old course the bunkers were at 240 (yards) or 250 and the kids were just knocking it right by them. The new bunkers are 280 to 310, which is where everybody is hitting it right now. So, we needed new drainage in the bunkers and we wanted to make them more Alastair McKenzie bunkers.

Over the years (the bunkers) just became ovals because of edging them and there were no fingers in them like he had them. We knew, too, that to do the bunkers right we had to re-do the greens and that was the biggest change right there. We decided to re-grass the greens and re-shape them. We wanted to make them a little softer. Some of them were becoming unplayable because of the slopes of them. They were built in the 30s, so the putting on the Stimpmeter, which measures how fast they are, was probably a five or six. There was heavier grass and you could putt those slopes. Now, with new technology and everything and mowing the (greens) so short, they became to fast to put the pins in a lot of places on the greens. Now we can put the pins anywhere.

OSAM: Aside from the bunkers and greens what other renovations were made?

BROWN: We made a lot longer tees. We have the course maxed-out at 7,450 (yards), which is probably what it’s going to be, and a par-71. We changed No. 14 from a 505-yard par-5 to a 475 par-4. Mr. (Jack) Nicklaus, when he was here, he just said he couldn’t do anything with a 500-yard par-5. It was just too short for the kids so we decided to change that to a par-4 which everyone agreed on. We moved the tees back so the bunkers would be in play. The course is absolutely maxed-out now. We couldn’t build any tee any longer on any hole.

OSAM: Have any other holes been altered significantly?

BROWN: The only change is No. 4 in terms of relocation of the green. We moved it 80 to 100 yards to the right of where it is now. We dug out the lake so if anyone wants to go for the pin in two now, they’re going to have to carry the lake. So the lake is definitely in play and the green is a lot more well-bunkered than the old hole was. The old hole was playing like a driver, four-iron for the kids. Now if they are going for it, it’s going to have to be a wood second shot for them. That’s the only hole that’s relocated.

OSAM: What kind of challenges have been added to the course by the changes and renovations?

BROWN: The biggest challenge will be length, No. 1. No. 2 is the tightness of the driving areas because of all the fairway bunkers we’ve added. We built some more tees, too, so all the bunkers will come into play for everybody. We built our woman’s varsity tees and they hit it about 240 or 260. Well, the bunkers are right there where they’re going to play, too.

OSAM: What role did Jack Nicklaus play in renovating the course?

BROWN: In the process of interviewing we interviewed four people to see who would get the job. He made the presentation which was kind of neat. I wanted, and I think everybody wanted, for the job to go to an alumni of Ohio State. We felt like that was very important that an alumnus who’s in the business of building golf courses would get this job. I want to say he was maybe lukewarm on getting involved, that’s my own personal thing; but when he came out here the first time and saw what was here, since then he’s been kind of the only person we’ve seen, he and his right-hand man Greg Letzke. They are the only people who’ve been here and Jack’s probably been here six or seven times already. He’s really excited about it. He thinks it’s going to be a fabulous course and I know the builders who got the contract, National Golf, want to make it the best college course in the country and put it up there with the best courses in Columbus.

OSAM: When will the course be ready?

BROWN: Well, we’re shooting for the Women’s NCAA Championship which is the third week in May. That’s what all of our focus is right now is trying to get the course ready for that. I don’t think the course would be open before that.

OSAM: How will the renovation of the course help Ohio State’s golf program?

BROWN: Well, we’ve always been considered one of the top-five in the country as far as our program. Along with the golf course we built a nice driving range for the kids, extended it and made it bigger for both the teams. We also built a fabulous short-game area for them where we can work with their short game, their bunker game, their 40-50 wedge shot and there’s a huge putting green out there. That should be a huge factor that will help us, along with just the name the Scarlet Course at Ohio State University. That’s going to help us out a lot.

OSAM: Has anyone had an opportunity to get out there and play a round yet?

BROWN: Not really. The only guy who's really helped out is one of our players went out and hit drivers off some tees so they could see where his ball was landing. But we’re looking forward to it. It’s been exciting to see the changes and the members are all happy with it. We should also be able to add about 100 new alumni members, which is a good thing. A lot of people were against the project, but I think once it’s done it’s going to be a fabulous golf course.

-JAY HANSEN