Bunker Renovation Begins at PNW Course

The City of Spokane, Wash. retained Ridgetop Golf to renovate the bunkers—including re-shaping, new drainage and liners, and new sand—at Indian Canyon Golf Course. While the bunkers are under construction, warranty work on sprinkler heads and course turf aeration will also be completed to minimize the impact to golfers.

Golfers at Indian Canyon Golf Course in Spokane, Wash. will soon enjoy renovated bunkers, including re-shaping, new drainage and liners, and new sand. Construction recently began as and will last about four weeks.

The course will offer a discount on 18-hole rounds Mondays – Thursdays (all tee times) and Fridays until noon, because there will be rotating temporary greens on 1-2 holes at a time. Regular rates will apply on Friday afternoons and weekends, as the course will be played as normal without temporary greens.

“Bunker renovation at Indian Canyon was one of the most requested on-course improvements from golfers in our master plan,” said Mark Poirier, Golf Manager for the City of Spokane. “Our golf courses are funded entirely through golf fees, and we invest these funds in ways that have a big impact to the quality of play and add community value to our courses. Our recent irrigation renovations are an example of this, and we’re pleased to be doing some above-ground projects as well.”

Ridgetop Golf was awarded the low bid, and the project is anticipated to cost $300,000 plus tax.

While the bunkers are under construction, warranty work on sprinkler heads and course turf aeration will also be completed to minimize the impact to golfers.

Additional City of Spokane golf course improvements are on the horizon, as well.

The Creek at Qualchan will receive new irrigation water pumps and a new pumphouse. The pumps are from the early 1990s when the course opened and are at risk of failure. This project is funded by the city’s Water Department to continue its commitment to improve water delivery in the area, and further conservation efforts. This prepares The Creek at Qualchan for future irrigation system upgrades. Work is expected to begin by early October and continue through the end of the golfing season. The golf course will remain fully open during construction activity, and the new irrigation pumps will be ready for use in spring 2025.

At Downriver Golf Course, a Phase 1 cart path and parking lot project is out to bid. Improvements will be made to the cart paths along the practice green and holes 1, 10, and 18, plus portions of the parking lot. The project could begin as early as this fall, weather dependent. We will share more information as it’s known.

City of Spokane Golf operates as an enterprise fund, meaning golf courses are funded fully through golf fees and not with taxes.