San Vicente Golf Course in Ramona, Calif. celebrated the culmination of a nine-month, multimillion-dollar renovation of its course with an 18-hole scramble, while The Summit Club at Armonk (N.Y.) opened its front nine after a renovation by architect Rees Jones. All 18 holes at The Summit Club will be ready for member play in mid-June, as will the upgraded practice facilities.
San Vicente Golf Course in Ramona, Calif. capped a course renovation project with a Grand Opening Golf Tournament May 7, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported. Mario Trejo, General Manager of the San Diego Country Estates Association and San Vicente Golf Resort, praised key project contributors, including the association Board of Directors President Eileen Castberg, Greens and Bunkers Renovation Committee member Kathleen Kankelberg, golf course architect Andy Staples, and golf construction company Heritage Links executives Oscar Rodriguez and Sergio Cadengo.
“It was an intense project, but you are now experiencing a wonderful golf course,” said Trejo, of the nine-month, multimillion-dollar renovation project. “Everyone contributed in one way or another. I hope you enjoy this golf course for many years to come.”
Trejo also thanked members of the San Vicente Golf Club, consisting of Estates residents and The Players Club for non-residents for paying their dues while the golf course was closed for construction from April 1, 2020 through Jan. 30 of this year, The Union-Tribune reported.
“You were instrumental in getting us through this project,” he said. “Today we’re celebrating a great accomplishment—the complete renovation of the greens and bunkers. This is the finish line.”
Castberg said the seeds for the renovation were sown six years ago when recently retired Golf Course Superintendent Pat Shannon and Trejo described how the golf course was dying and suffering from inadequate drainage, The Union-Tribune reported. She said the association board made the tough decision to set aside funds for the project.
Trejo said they are still waiting on a final price tag due to an expected refund from the county of San Diego, The Union-Tribune reported.
“This is our largest asset as a homeowner’s association,” Castberg said. “The course hadn’t been touched in almost 50 years and we brought it up to date.”
Staples, of Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Staples Golf Design, lauded those who worked on the greens and bunkers renovation for bringing his vision to reality, The Union-Tribune reported. In designing the course, the golf architect of nearly 30 years said he blended the golfing styles of Scotland and Australia. The greens and bunkers may take a few years to mature, he told the crowd, but added that the quality construction was built to last.
Staples also thanked the association and its board of directors for forging ahead during the coronavirus pandemic, The Union-Tribune reported.
“These openings are filled with all kinds of emotions,” he said. “Everyone is anxious to get out and play. Hopefully, by the time you get out and experience what’s been done, I hope that you will see that it’s been worth it.”
Greens and Bunkers Committee member John Selby joked that it may have been easier to build a highway to Kauai than to get the golf course upgrades done, The Union-Tribune reported. He expressed gratitude to those who helped shape the course, including the new Golf Course Superintendent Ben McBride, who started working at the course last December, and the course’s Golf Professional Matt Brumbaugh, PGA.
“These improvements will provide a great golf experience for years to come and it will benefit the Estates,” Selby said. “Today we’re celebrating finishing our crown jewel.”
The Summit Club at Armonk (N.Y.) opened the front nine holes of its highly anticipated renovated golf course by architect Rees Jones. The transformation of the former Brynwood Golf & Country Club gives area golfers the opportunity to play a first-class Jones design by joining this new brand of club that has been styled as “the private club experience reimagined.”
All 18 holes will be ready for member play in mid-June, as will the upgraded practice facilities. The Summit Club at Armonk course will play to 6,700 yards from the back tees to a par of 71.
“The extensive golf course improvements will make The Summit Club at Armonk a place that all levels of golfers can enjoy in a natural landscape that offers dramatic elevation changes and stunning panoramic views of the New York countryside,” said Rees Jones.
“The Summit Club is being designed as a 21st century lifestyle community with a focus on golf, tennis, fitness and wellness within a resort-like environment,” said Jeffrey B. Mendell, Managing Partner. “Our orientation is to make golf more fun and less stuffy.”
In addition to the renovated golf course, The Summit Club at Armonk will provide amenities that will open in phases over the next few years. A temporary reception center, pro shop, food truck and covered outdoor dining terrace are now operational. An Amenities Pavilion that will include a pool, fitness center and casual dining breaks ground later this year. The new clubhouse and tennis courts are expected to commence construction in 2023. Some 73 luxury condominium residences also are planned.
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