Welcome to the first-ever FEGC Hole Design Contest! We’re inviting all Fried Egg Golf Club members to submit their concept for a golf hole per the guidelines below. The winning design, as determined by a panel of judges and FEGC members, will be built as part of a real-world golf course project.
If you’re not a member of FEGC, consider joining today!
Contest Description
The project in question, currently named Ace Valley, will be a brand-new 13-hole short course led by Andy Staples, ASGCA, at Breezy Point Resort in Minnesota.
Ace Valley will be used as an educational tool for golf architecture history for the people of Minnesota and beyond. This publicly accessible course will feature par-3 adaptations of renowned holes, with a focus on strategic merit, great green design, quick pace of play, and creative shot-making. The course will be built around a new socially oriented clubhouse, patio, and putting-course experience.
Design Guidelines
The Contest Hole will be the opening hole at Ace Valley, playing as a mid-length to long par 3 on a fairly flat piece of ground. The green will be set on a ridge that slopes slightly left to right. See the Contest Basemap below.
(Download PDF)
Submission form for the FEGC Hole Design Contest at Breezy Point Resort
Course routing reference plan for the FEGC Hole Design Contest at Breezy Point Resort
Hole reference plan for FEGC Hole Design Contest at Breezy Point Resort
1. The hole is to be designed on the provided centerline—max length of 180 yards from the back tee, but can be designed shorter if desired.
2. The hole should be designed as a “template” of a renowned existing hole and/or green. It does not have to be a traditional C.B. Macdonald/Seth Raynor template, but it should be one of strategic merit and recognizable as an iteration of its source of inspiration.
3. The “template” used should be distinct from the others on the course. While there may be some similarities, the overall concept and strategy should be unique.
4. The green will play approximately 180 yards from the back tee, toward another green (the “Short” 10th). This angle will create a need for some separation between the greens and an understanding of how to address balls that run over toward the adjacent green.
5. The judges will look favorably on entries that include some kind of prominent strategic feature in the design. This can be a carry feature, a rock wall, a sand dune, etc.
6. Creative grading/landforms (mounds, ditches, berms, etc.) are all fair game, as long as they fit the chosen template and are thoughtfully integrated onto the site.
Additional site information can be found on the Contest Basemap, including existing topography, trees, proposed circulation, and features from adjacent holes. These can be incorporated or omitted from your design as you see fit.
Current routing of Ace Valley:
No. 1 – The Contest Hole
No. 2 – Punchbowl, with inspiration taken from various versions of the template
No. 3 – The Dell hole (No. 5 at Lahinch Golf Club)
No. 4 – The approach shot on No. 16 at North Berwick Golf Club
No. 5 – A “bathtub” green integrating ideas from MacKenzie’s 16th green at the Jockey Club
No. 6 – The approach to No. 4 at Huntercombe Golf Club
No. 7 – A twist on No. 14 at Pine Valley Golf Club, with hints of No. 6 at Riviera Country Club
No. 8 – An original Staples concept: a take on a “Double Punchbowl,” played with a putter
No. 9 – Redan, with inspiration taken from various versions of the template
No. 10 – Short, with inspiration taken from various versions of the template
No. 11 – Lion’s Mouth, with inspiration taken from other Staples Golf projects
No. 12 – A mirror image of the Road hole (No. 17 at the Old Course at St. Andrews)
No. 13 – Bonus hole: a shot over water to a green designed to facilitate a hole-in-one
*Note: depending on the final design winner, the routing and overall design of Ace Valley could be subject to change based on new information, site conditions, and owner interests.
Submission Info
Participants must submit the following to be considered: 1) a concept plan for the contest hole (sketch or digital rendering), and 2) a brief written description of the design intent and strategy, including the inspiration “template.”
Each participant may submit up to three (3) different design ideas.
Submissions can be made by email to members@thefriedegg.com. If you wish to create your concept plan by hand, simply scan it or take a photo of it in order to submit it digitally.
Entries must be submitted by Wednesday, October 15, at 12 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time.
For any questions regarding the submission or design guidelines, please reach out to members@thefriedegg.com prior to Friday, October 10.
Judging Info
The judging panel for the FEGC Hole Design Contest will consist of architect Andy Staples, Fried Egg Golf founder Andy Johnson, and Fried Egg Golf head of architecture content Garrett Morrison. This panel will determine three to four finalists. FEGC members will then vote to select a winner.
Award Info
The winner of the contest will have their golf hole built at Ace Valley during the Spring of 2026, the original concept framed and hung in the clubhouse, and will be invited to the grand opening of the course with up to three (3) guests (two nights lodging, golf and meals covered). Additional special rewards are also planned.
