Photo by Alise O'Brien
The Dream
This couple loves to golf, so it was no surprise to friends and family when they decided to build a custom home on the 16th hole of the Bellerive Country Club golf course. “Golf is a loved sport in our family,” says the wife, “so when we started to work on the design of our backyard, we thought it would be fun to incorporate plans for our own private putting and chipping greens. It feels like we’re on the course but still in our backyard.” The couple also wanted a place where the whole family could relax, play, and enjoy being together. “Adding the greens was a fun part of that,” she says.
The Plan
From the beginning, the couple knew what they wanted, so the design of the backyard and the construction of the house took place simultaneously. “In order to create a cohesive indoor/outdoor connection, it’s important to put as much thought into your outside living environment as you do the inside of your home,” says architect Greg Garrett of Mitchell Wall Architecture and Design. “The outside shouldn’t be an afterthought.” Jeff Bogard of R.E.A. Homes loves the LED lights in each cup: “The family can play even when the sun goes down.” The couple’s backyard retreat also includes a pool by Pool Specialists, a stone pizza oven, and an adjacent fire pit to enjoy on cooler days.
The Challenges
Leveling the yard to support the greens and the pool was a priority, says Bogard. The retaining wall was built to extend the flat area of the backyard behind the home where the pool is located. “Since the lot slopes down toward the golf course, we had to build the retaining wall to allow for that transition,” he says.
The Benefits
Anytime the weather permits, the family is outside golfing, grilling, making pizza, or playing soccer. “We wanted a big yard as well as areas where we could relax. We think we’ve accomplished both,” say the couple.
