Jackson Kahn Designs 19-Hole Short Course for Shortland Golf Club in Oregon

Shortland Golf Club, located near Portland, Oregon, has opened a new 19-hole short course designed by Jackson Kahn Design.

The project began after Mike Fritz, who previously worked in footwear development for Nike Golf and led his family’s engineering automation company DWFritz, purchased the former Sandelie Golf Course, which had closed in late 2022. Soon after acquiring the property, Fritz engaged Jackson Kahn Design to transform it into an artificial turf par-three course that would require less maintenance while offering consistently high-quality playing conditions.

A key element of the plan was the creation of a central gathering spot known as Slam’s Bar, named in honor of Fritz’s close friend and longtime Portland Golf Club professional, Rick Lamberton. The routing of the course forms a four-leaf clover pattern, with holes looping back to Slam’s Bar after the sixth, eleventh, and sixteenth. The team used soil excavated from the new irrigation pond near the fourteenth and fifteenth holes to elevate the area around the bar, establishing a natural high point that offers panoramic views of multiple holes. From this vantage, golfers can watch play across six holes, and staff can monitor pace of play without leaving the central hub.

Most of the course was shaped on site with only two small CAT bulldozers. While not designed with a minimalist aesthetic, the construction approach maintained a balance between dramatic reshaping and preserving the site’s natural topography. Over 115 trees were removed as part of the renovation, with selective replanting and preservation guided by a long-term tree management plan to enhance the property’s look and ecological balance.

Kohl Creek borders the western side of the property, influencing the design of a drainage swale that mimics the creek’s natural movement. This feature not only adds visual interest to holes seven through eleven but also serves as a functional drainage system for much of the course, similar to the ditch network at Oakmont Country Club. The entire property now relies primarily on surface drainage, supplemented with targeted basins and subsurface systems as needed.

Shortland’s holes range from 59 to 104 yards, with greens averaging about 2,500 square feet. Each putting surface features distinctive contouring to keep the layout interesting for both new and experienced players. The design team aimed to create variety within a compact footprint, ensuring each hole feels unique despite the short yardages.

Inspiration for the layout came in part from McMenamins Edgefield, another Portland-area course known for attracting a broad range of golfers. Like Edgefield, Shortland employs a single height of cut across the playing surface—shorter than typical rough but higher than a traditional fairway—making it easy to maintain while keeping play accessible for all skill levels.

A major design challenge was to appeal to both beginners and advanced golfers. The greens’ receptiveness allowed the team to introduce creative contours and diverse pin placements that can alter the difficulty from day to day. The third hole, for example, can play as either one of the course’s toughest or easiest depending on the flag’s location.

All greens, tees, and bunkers were constructed using synthetic turf from Celebrity Greens. Even the “sand” in bunkers consists of a two-inch layer of turf. The design team was convinced of this approach after testing synthetic surfaces nearby and observing how naturally golf shots interacted with them. This flexibility encouraged more bold shaping and contouring throughout the design.

Beneath each green lies a compacted base eight to twelve inches deep, with perimeter drains managing runoff. This infrastructure ensures consistent conditions year-round: firm and dry in winter, and manageable during the heat of summer. Drip irrigation supports the transition zones between synthetic and natural grass, while careful maintenance prevents issues such as mold or fungus.

Although synthetic turf reduces mowing demands, it introduces new maintenance routines. Greens are rolled and sanded to maintain smoothness, while brushing helps control green speeds by restoring fiber height. Shortland has adapted innovative brushing techniques—similar to those used at Skamania Lodge—to efficiently maintain the surfaces.

In play, the synthetic greens offer realistic spin and receptiveness, while the bunkers require a modified approach, with players often opting for chip shots instead of traditional explosions.

Alongside the main short course, Jackson Kahn Design also created “The Nest,” a putting and chipping course inspired by playful, backyard-style facilities such as Sunset Golf Club in Montreal and Bigfoot PitchPutt in North Carolina. The Nest blends that same fun, social energy with a more traditional putting experience suitable for families and casual golfers alike.