DUININCK BROS GOLF - A Passion for Creating Golf Courses

Duininck Brothers Golf Nearing Completion of Stonebridge Makeover

GRETNA, LA -- (May 22, 2003) Ohio based golf course entrepreneur, Ed Haddad is banking on his decision to purchase and renovate the 27-hole Stonebridge Country Club here rather than build a new course elsewhere from the ground up. A seasoned golf course owner, Haddad owns one of the busiest public courses in northern Ohio, and foresees a similar return on his investment at Stonebridge when it reopens in Fall 2003.

Stonebridge, located on the “Westbank” just seven miles from downtown New Orleans and a few miles form the new Pete Dye designed TPC course is undergoing a complete renovation designed by John Robinson and orchestrated by Duininck Brothers Golf of Prinsburg, Minnesota.

Stonebridge was built in 1984 as the golf course centerpiece of an upscale residential community by the same name and changed ownership several times before Haddad’s acquisition in September 2002. Plagued by poor drainage and dwindling maintenance budgets the course fell into disrepair over the past several years resulting in a decreased membership.

Since construction started in October 2002, Duininck has moved 320,000 cubic yards of earth and installed nearly 75,000 lineal feet of subsurface drainage in an area that receives annual rainfall in excess of 75 inches. “Working through two hurricanes on a site five feet below sea level is a real testament to our dedicated crews. Extensive in-house resources allow us to fast track projects always keeping a watchful eye on the quality of our work. Opportunities like Stonebridge allow us to really showcase our depth and proven golf course construction capabilities.” said Dave Munkvold, Duininck Brothers General Manager.

“They are working in the worst soil conditions I’ve seen in the 36 years that I’ve been designing golf courses,” said Robinson. “I’m thrilled with Duininck’s work. They are patient, extremely well organized and just great people. Duininck Brothers is by far one of the best golf contractors I’ve worked with and I’ll look for opportunities to work with them again,” said Robinson.

The renamed “The Links of Stonebridge” will feature six sets of tees measuring from 4,900 yards to 7,150 yards, new Tifdwarf Bermuda putting greens and Tifdwarf 419 Bermuda fairways guarded heavily by 125 sand bunkers. Putting greens will average 8,500 square feet offering a variety of pin placements and strategic shot making opportunities. Artful finish shaping characteristic of Duininck’s work will make the Links of Stonebridge standout among area courses. “I believe Stonebridge will be one of the best courses in greater New Orleans,” said Haddad. “In my 50 years of development and construction I’ve never worked with a contractor that is as professional and as well organized,” said Haddad. “Duininck was not the lowest of the 10 bidders, but they have proven to be the best.”