At a time when many of the nation’s recession-weary country clubs are cutting back, Medinah (Ill.) Country Club is stepping up with a view toward the 2012 Ryder Cup. By a margin of more than 4-1, Medinah’s membership voted on June 13 to spend upwards of $3 million on a multi-faceted renovation that would see the club’s famed No. 3 Course close August 15 and re-open next June.
“What this overwhelming vote means is that we now will be able to bring our crown jewel up to the world class level where we want it to be,” said club president John Potts. “It will be ready for the 2012 Ryder Cup for the whole world to see. The membership is happy.”
The Renovation will include reconstruction of the 11 remaining original soil-based push-up greens on the club’s No. 3 course. These surfaces and the Putting Clock in front of the clubhouse would be replaced by state-of-the-art sand-based greens set to specifications of the U.S. Golf Association. The greens to be replaced are on holes 3, 4, 5, and 6. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 14. A select number of these greens also will be re-contoured. The seven other greens on No. 3 were rebuilt to USGA standards during a 2003 course renovation directed by noted golf course architect Rees Jones. Jones also will oversee this phase of improvements.
Re-grassing of all 18 greens and the Putting Clock in front of the clubhouse will bring about all pure bentgrass greens upon reopening in June 2010. And re-grassing of all 18 fairways and intermediate rough areas will eliminate poa annua and other types of undesirable grasses.
With Course 3 closed for the renovation, the club will undertake a Cart Path and Hardscape improvement program aimed at upgrading the aesthetics and functionality of cart paths, the halfway house complex, and the area surrounding the No. 6 green and No. 7 and 10 tees.
The project will also include a renovation and expansion of the golf course maintenance facility.
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