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The Country
Club
Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
 This fabric structure built at The
Country Club in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, was designed to provide
protection to bathers at the pool area adjacent to the 4th tee. The project was
designed and implemented to mitigate the possible risk to club members and
guests being injured by golf balls that could enter the pool, or pool house and
dining area. The Country Club, established in 1882, was host to the Ryder Cup
in 1999 and the US Open Championship in 1988 among a long list of prestigious
professional golfing events.
The net structure was entirely designed,
fabricated and erected by Span Systems using 3/4-inch square-hung knotted
netting and PVC coated cables. This custom netting, constructed from
Allied-Signal's SPECTRA fibers, is ten times stronger than steel. FNT
Industries of Menominee, Michigan, fabricated the net. Highlights of the
structure include two tapered and cable guyed inclined masts and stainless
steel sphere hinge connections at both mast base locations and the nine tieback
tripods. The net itself utilizes custom fabricated cable pockets to capture the
catenary, side and suspension cables. The structure represents approximately
15,000 square feet in covered area. The erection of the structure was
complicated by the existence of the swimming pool directly beneath it and the
design/build sequence was highly accelerated, representing three months from
design to completion. An architect was retained to develop the conceptual look
to the structure and Span Systems' charge was to execute all design
details.
 The
project was a top priority for the club's management and Board of Directors and
the achievement of the mission critical time frame was key in the owner's
selection of Span Systems to undertake the project. Ensuring the safety and
comfort of club patrons was the highest priority of Club management and having
the structure in place in time for the opening of the 2002 pool season was a
top priority. As opposed to the erection of a conventional vertical pole
netting structure, the Club's management chose to create an architecturally
unique structure that would be functional as well as aesthetically pleasing.
According to the Club's Board of Directors and officers, the structure does
both and they are delighted with the end results and Span Systems' dedication
to the completion of the project. |
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Structure: 15,000-square-foot tensioned membrane net structure
designed to protect the pool area from errant golf balls from the neighboring
golf course's 4th tee. |
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Membrane: 3/4-inch, square-hung knotted netting of Allied Signal
SPECTRA fibers. Fabricated by FNT Industries of Menominee, MI. |
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Support Structure: Two inclined, cable stayed steel masts (70 feet
and 30 feet) support the net with 130 foot Catenary cable, suspended between
the masts. Perimeter Catenary cable system ties out the net membrane to series
of 10 tripods erected at the perimeter and anchored with 1.5-inch rock anchors
drilled and grouted into the ledge. |
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Concept: Amsler/Woodhouse/MacLean Architects, Boston,
MA |
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Design/Installation: Span Systems, total project duration of 4
months |
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Steel: Mound Industries, OH |
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General Contractor: C.E. Floyd Company, Inc. |
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