b'GOLF OREGONFritz is a member at Portland Golf Club, but his golfEverybody has that picture in their head, but actually seeing it inspirations range well beyond its fairways. Now with a littlewas a different experience.more cash on hand, he eyed the old Sandelie Golf Course inSandelie Golf Course had been 18 holes, with the first West Linn, with ideas about a renovation.nine opening 1969 and designed by Harvey Junor, the great-Fritz reached out to Weston Weber, a synthetic golf turfgrandnephew of George Junor, a former head greenkeeper at pioneer who specializes in synthetic backyard projects andPortland Golf Club. Bill Kaiser designed the second nine holes, provided perspective.which opened in 1972. Technology is just as important for synthetic turf as it is forSandelie was a family-owned course, built by Bill and Janet the real stuff. To hear Jackson Kahn design associate ConnorKaiser, who wanted a golf course on the family farm when the Dougherty tell it, Artificial turf progress is just getting there.surrounding land was being developed in the 1960s. Dougherty is the best kind of golf nut. He rattles off fourFor 50 years, the Kaiser family operated the golf course. different types of synthetic material used on most ShortlandDuring this time, they also built the 9-hole Kohl Creek Golf holes, even providing a different reaction to balls landing from 80Course across the road from Sandelie. Eventually, the family felt or so yards away, then discusses the science below the surface. managing two golf courses was becoming too labor-intensive, Dougherty says there still is maintenance involved. Youso they sold the Sandelie property to Fritz, and kept the Kohl have to stay on top of brushing the sand out and makingCreek course, which they still operate. sure its consistent. And you still have to spray for mold and fungus. But there are effectively no ball marks and the greens should run at 10consistently.Look around Shortlandrhymes with Portland, suggested by Fritzs middle son, Carsonand there is a certain simulatorJackson Kahn design as-ethos. Everything is real except the tees andsociate Connor Dough-greens, but you could easily imagine it all on aerty, left, and Shortland screen. Walks between holes are shorter andGolf Club superinten-rounds are designed to last two hours tops. Everydent Dustin Pokorny, hole measures 99 yards or less. who worked 14 years We knew what we wanted to do out here,at Portland Golf Club Dougherty says. I dont think a lot of peopleand is now in his second involved realized how radical it was going to beseason as the Shortland until we actually started moving dirt. Once theysuperintendent.saw the movement in the greens, it was, Oh, wow. The potential in the site was always there. GOLF OREGON|JUN 202513'