Southern Trace Country Club in Shreveport, La. completed a $4.2 million renovation which included new greens, a redesign of the entire 18-hole course, a new drainage system, and redesigned practice facility. Boulders Resort & Spa Scottsdale (Ariz.) and Wigwam Golf’s Red Course in Litchfield Park, Ariz. are beginning bunker projects, while the former will also address greens on its South Course.
While the Southern Trace Country Club in Shreveport, La. has reopened, Boulders Resort & Spa Scottsdale (Ariz.) and Wigwam Golf’s Red Course in Litchfield Park, Ariz. are beginning bunker projects.
The 34-year-old golf course at Southern Trace Country Club reopened after a $4.2 million renovation … the first in its history, KSLA reported.
Improvements included new greens, a redesign of the entire 18-hole course, and a new drainage system to keep the course dry throughout the year, KSLA reported. The project also included a complete renovation of the club’s practice facility. This includes a larger teeing area at the driving range and a larger practice putting greens.
Jim Lipe, a Southern Trace member and design architect with the Jack Nicklaus organization, directed the project, KSLA reported.
“Our investment in golf course refinements and technology will ensure the highest level of playability for our membership for decades to come,” said Alexander Mijalis, Southern Trace Vice President and Chairman of the club’s greens committee. “We are excited to see Southern Trace return to the premier status it once enjoyed.”
This project is just the first part of a larger plan to update the Southern Trace clubhouse, KSLA reported. More renovations to come will include updating the tennis court, dining area, pro shop, locker rooms, gyms, and event space.
The Boulders Resort & Spa Scottsdale recently broke ground on an extensive bunker renovation project and golf course refinement project designed to enhance the playability of its golf courses for resort guests, members and Arizona residents. The multi-focus project includes the renovation of all bunkers on the Boulders North and South Courses. It also includes a greens renovation project on the South Course.
“We are committed to investing in our world-class golf resort and keeping the Boulders at the top of must-play lists for traveling golfers, while enhancing an amazing country club environment for our vibrant membership,” said the Boulders General Manager, John Maskovich. “Our investment in capital – from the bunkers on both courses, the greens, to the pump station, to new agronomic equipment – combined with our stellar golf team, are prime examples of our commitment.”
During the four-month project, all bunkers will be excavated and rebuilt incorporating a technically advanced drainage and liner system featuring Capillary Concrete. This new generation lining method increases the speed at which water flows through the bunker, minimizing washouts, reducing maintenance and producing superior playability. Original bunker shapes and strategy will be maintained during renovations.
New bunkers will be refilled with premium 50:50 bunker sand (50 percent white and 50 percent tan blended together) and are expected to last for many years. During the project, current bunker sand will be repurposed to provide additional topdressing material for fairways and key playing surfaces.
Additionally, as part of this extensive capital investment, the Boulders will be updating green complexes on the South Course to their original shape and size, and resurfacing greens with TifEagle turf. TifEagle is an ultra-dwarf hybrid green that will offer improved speed, consistency and playability as well as smooth transitions during seasonal weather changes.
Scottsdale-based Casa Verde Golf is executing the work. Renovation work, as well as annual course maintenance projects, will take place in rotating fashion throughout the summer to always allow for 18 holes to be open for play.
The Boulders’ bunker renovation project and South Course refinement project comes on the heels of ownership’s recent investment in a state-of-the-art pump station designed to support efficient irrigation practices and enhancing turf health.
In addition, Ryan Schroeder joined the Boulders Club as Director of Agronomy. Formerly of Troon Country Club, Schroeder will oversee maintenance of the North and South courses, the property’s expansive golf practice facilities, and manage the club’s agronomy team. Brandon Christensen was just appointed as Director of Golf Operations and is now at the helm of all golf programs, golf shop operations, golf course maintenance, tennis operations and the Boulders Club membership.
The Boulders Club features a 6,811-yard, par-72, championship North Course and a 6,726-yard, par-71 championship South Course, both designed by Jay Morrish. Both the North and the South courses are built right into the desert foothills – including stunning ancient boulder formations, striking Sonoran Desert sunsets and natural desert terrain.
Wigwam Golf’s Red Course will undergo a four-month bunker enhancement project. The project will begin on July 5 and will be focused on refreshing the 48-year-old course’s 44 fairway and greenside bunkers.
Pro Turf International, in collaboration with The Wigwam’s ownership group JDM Partners, will be executing the project, which is expected to be completed by October. With work occurring during the slower summer months, the Red Course will remain open for play through late September, at which time it will close for fall overseeding.
As part of the Red Course bunker enhancement project, all bunkers will be excavated and rebuilt incorporating a technically advanced drainage and liner system featuring Capillary Concrete, which minimizes washouts, reduces maintenance and produces superior playability. In addition, tan sand will be replaced with new, higher-quality white sand in all bunkers.
The Wigwam’s Red Course opened in 1974. Originally called the West Course, the course was renamed in the late 80s in honor of the club’s head professional of 42 years, V.O. “Red” Allen, and the course’s architect, Robert “Red” Lawrence. The Red Course is a traditional layout lined with pine and eucalyptus trees.
Similar bunker enhancements were made on The Wigwam’s Robert Trent Jones, Sr.-designed Blue Course in 2016 and Gold Course in 2015, resulting in superior playability.
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