The Greg Norman-designed Black Course at Tiburón GC at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort in Naples, Fla. has been closed until November for a complete “remastering.” In Estero, Fla., members of the West Bay Club have approved a $4 million renovation of the Pete Dye-designed championship course; the project will begin in April 2018, with expected completion by November 2018.
The Black Course at Tiburón Golf Club at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort in Naples, Fla. closed in mid-April for a “remastering” project being led by Greg Norman Golf Course Design and Tiburón Golf Club’s Director of Agronomy, Jeff Cathey. The Greg Norman-designed Black Course, which originally opened in 2001, is expected to reopen for member, guest and daily-fee play this November.
During the six-month project, Tiburón’s Black Course will undergo extensive renovations to its greens, turf, bunkers and irrigation system. Green surrounds and approaches will be reconfigured to create more strategic shot options for players, and will be re-grassed with Celebration Bermuda grass. Greens will feature Tiff Eagle Bermuda.
Family tees will also be added, giving members and guests with children another option to play the course at approximately 4,000 yards.
“Our Black Course at Tiburón is a favorite of members and guests,” said Kevin DeDonato, PGA, Tiburón Golf Club’s General Manager. “This remastering project will allow us to offer consistent and spectacular playing conditions throughout the year, while also improving an already incredible layout.”
Tiburón’s Gold Course underwent a similar remastering project in 2016, during which crews reconstructed many of the original stacked sod-wall bunkers with a new synthetic sod-wall bunker system by Durabunker, making Tiburón the first LPGA and PGA TOUR venue to use the new Durabunker product.
Durabunkers will not be used on the new Black Course; instead, bunker faces will be lowered with a more gradual pitch, creating a distinct look between the two courses.
Tiburón (Spanish for shark), is home to the LPGA Tour’s CME Group Tour Championship and the PGA TOUR’s QBE Shootout. The CME Group Tour Championship has been hosted at Tiburón since 2013, and the Shootout has been played at Tiburón since 2001.
In Estero, Fla., the West Bay Club recently announced that its members approved a $4 million renovation of the club’s Pete Dye-designed championship golf course, with completion expected by November 2018. Fry/Straka Global Golf Course Design was commissioned to spearhead the project.
During the authorization process, the master plan received a nearly 90% approval rating from the members. “The membership’s trust and support has been greatly appreciated,” said architect Jason Straka, ”and we look forward to bringing the project to fruition.”
With the permitting phase estimated to take place this summer, construction is slated to begin April of 2018.
“The primary focus of the design will be to enhance the greens and rebuild the bunkering,” said Jeff Raimer, West Bay’s Director of Golf. “Drainage improvements will also be made to support improved conditioning and playability.
“During the renovation, the bulk of the course will be re-grassed with environmentally friendly, state-of-the-art turfgrass,” Raimer added. “The renovation will add modern design elements and deliver exceptional playing conditions for the membership.”
Added Brian Schultz, West Bay’s General Manager, “This renovation will help ensure that our course is competitive in the local marketplace and will increase the desirability of our golf club and entire community for years to come. The investment will also translate into enhanced property values for each home owner.”
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