Illustrations

Centennial
Book Illustrations

Lucas Palicki creates research-driven illustrations that bring golf course history to life. For the centennial publications of Country Club of Jackson and Brook-Lea Country Club, PGD combined archival research, golf course architecture, cartographic analysis, and original illustration to document how each course has evolved over the past century.

At Country Club of Jackson, historic Arthur Ham plans were paired with aerial photography, renovation drawings, and archival records to create a series of hand-drawn illustrations documenting each hole's original design alongside its present-day configuration. At Brook-Lea, original Donald Ross plans were restored and analyzed alongside historic aerials and custom maps documenting the course's evolution and surrounding history.

The resulting graphics transform archival material into accessible visual narratives—preserving the architectural character, history, and evolution of two significant American golf courses for future generations.

Country Club of Jackson

Jackson, MI

Arthur Ham (1925)

Historical Documentation

Historic Arthur Ham plans, aerial photography, and renovation drawings by Chris Wilczynski in 2024 were all studied to create hand-drawn illustrations documenting each hole’s original design alongside its present-day configuration.

Working from original Arthur Ham plans, historic aerial photography, renovation drawings, and archival club records, the illustrations accurately depict each hole as originally designed alongside its modern configuration. Particular attention was given to documenting subtle architectural changes over time, including green modifications, tee relocations, bunker renovations, and other course refinements while preserving the strategic intent and character of the original design.

The completed illustration series provides the Country Club of Jackson with a timeless visual record of its golf course history, serving as both an educational resource and a centerpiece of the club's Centennial publication. Our work combines golf course architecture, historical research, and artistic illustration into a compelling visual narrative that honors the heritage of the club.

Original Drawing

Arthur Ham (1925)

2025 Aerial

Google Earth

Hole-by-Hole Illustrations

Hole 11

1925 / 2025

Hole 15

1925 / 2025

Hole 18

1925 / 2025

Brook-Lea Country Club

Rochester, NY

Donald Ross (1925)

Historical Documentation

Palicki Golf Design assisted golf historians Strawn and Sampson with the production of their Centennial publication for Brook-Lea Country Club, contributing historical research, cartographic analysis, and original graphics that illustrate the evolution of one of Donald Ross's classic Rochester-area golf courses.

The project combined golf course architecture with historical investigation, including extracting and restoring individual hole plans from Ross's original drawings, analyzing historic aerial photography to document the rerouting of Little Black Creek across the property, and creating interpretive graphics that highlighted the course's development over the past century. Additional work included mapping the residences of Brook-Lea's original membership using the club's 1926 address directory, along with producing custom maps and visual exhibits that explored the club's history within the broader context of Donald Ross's work and the region's glacial landscape.

The completed graphics provide readers with a deeper understanding of Brook-Lea's architectural and social history, transforming archival records into engaging visual narratives that celebrate the club's heritage.