The Sarasota, Fla., and Ventura, Calif., clubs each opened expanded and enhanced driving ranges, adding 32 and 29 hitting stations, respectively.
Members of The Founders Club in Sarasota, Fla., are beginning to test the club’s expanded driving range and enhancements to the short game area. A summertime renovation project expanded the club’s driving range to 32 stations and included the installation of Celebration grass on the practice facilities.
“Our membership is beginning to come back for the season, and they’re extremely pleased and excited about the improvements,” said Chris Adams, head golf professional. “We kept them updated during the summer with e-mails and photos, but seeing it in person is the only way to comprehend the changes. The driving range is quite a bit bigger now, and members have commented how fantastic it is.”
The renovation doubled the size of the half-acre range and included the addition of 10 more stations. Florida-friendly, drought-resistant Celebration, a deep blue-green durable Bermuda species considered among the top turfs, replaced existing grass on the range and short game facility.
“It grew in better than we expected and looks great,” said Adams. “We enhanced the short-game area and planted Celebration there, as well.”
The expansion enhances The Founders Club’s practice and training facilities, which also include two putting greens and state-of-the-art TrackMan radar technology provided through the Florida Golf Performance Center.
The member-owned Founders Golf and Social Club also offers the 24,000-sq. ft. Golf Hall, overlooking an oak hammock and the 18th hole. The clubhouse has a main dining room, bar and grille, outdoor verandah, and private dining room for casual and fine dining. The facility also offers a professionally staffed and fully stocked award-winning golf pro shop, state-of-the-art fitness center, and men’s and women’s locker rooms and lounges.
Olivas Links in Ventura, Calif., is also re-opening its driving range after undergoing a renovation. The drought-tolerant 12.5-acre range includes 29 hitting stations with both artificial and natural grass tee options.
The key component of the project was converting the practice facility to include artificial surface greens with decomposed granite surrounds. The natural look and feel will require minimal use of water and eliminate the need for fertilizers and pesticides.
“The new practice facility is a welcome addition to our award-winning golf facility and reiterates KemperSports’ commitment to environmental stewardship,” said General Manager Matt Kalbak.
The project extends Olivas Links’ participation in Green to a Tee, KemperSports’ proprietary program focusing on environmental initiatives within several core areas of facility operations, including golf course maintenance, habitat management and water conservation.
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