Challenge
Our challenges were to update the golf course and improve agronomics; to increase
competitiveness in the Phoenix market; to continue the community improvement
program, to add length for golf, to address playability issues and better
distinguish the two courses and to provide better access to tees, greens
and bunkers.
Solution
New tees, bunkers and green complexes were designed and built. Slopes were graded. Greens were rebuilt to accommodate additional pin placements that increase the challenge for those days when the club wanted it. New tees provide a better visual line of play, and offer the opportunity to set up the course for a variety of yardages. The new course has approximately the same number of bunkers as the former course, but locations have been adjusted to update the strategies. The greens were rebuilt with slopes around the perimeter to create and emphasize different angles into each green complex.
Result
Desert courses take some time to grow in and mature as the over-seeding of ryegrass for winter time play causes hardships for the young Bermuda grass. Nevertheless, course conditions have improved dramatically and will certainly provide for better golf this winter season—the prime time for playing golf in the Valley. The changes are clearly appreciated by the golf community as a wider variety of greens, yardages, and improved grading are delivering a great golf experience.
