The first phase of the project at the 97-year-old Somis, Calif. property includes the removal of bunkers and trees as well as a fairway expansion with new Santa Ana Bermuda turf. In addition to restoring aspects of William F. Bell’s original golf course design, improvements under the club’s new ownership and Troon Privé management will also include upgrades to dining spaces, locker rooms, pool area and fitness facilities.

The Saticoy Club in Somis, Calif. has kicked off a multi-phase golf course renovation.

Saticoy Partners LLC has teamed up with Arnold Palmer Design to prepare the long-range master plan for the renovation, with Ron Despain, Senior Vice President of Golf Course Development for Troon, overseeing the project. Troon Privé, the private club operating division of Troon, manages the golf and club operations at The Saticoy Club.

The first phase of the project is already under way and includes a comprehensive bunker remodel, sweeping tree removal and corresponding fairway expansion with Santa Ana Bermuda.

To conserve water and maintenance inputs, a reduction in maintained turf is also being implemented in select areas around the course.

The Saticoy Club was founded in 1921 and was the first private club in Ventura County, Calif.. Nestled in the hills of Somis, the 18-hole course was designed by noted architect William F. Bell. Over the years, the course has been refined by other notable architects, including Robert Muir Graves, Tom Doak and John Harbottle.

The club has hosted USGA championship qualifiers as well as Southern California Golf Association amateur championships.

Thad Layton of Arnold Palmer Design Company is the lead architect on the project team, while contractor Heritage Links and architect Brett Hochstein are implementing the new bunker styling.

Tim Paulsen, The Saticoy Club’s Head Golf Course Superintendent, is also a key part of the team in turf selection and implementation of the project vision.

“We’re honored to have been selected by The Saticoy Club to restore the best parts of Bell’s original design, while adding layers of strategic interest to increase the playability and enjoyment of the golf course,” Layton said. “The expansive vistas gained through the initial tree removals lend a sense of context and scale that had been covered up through years of unchecked growth.”

Saticoy Partners LLC purchased The Saticoy Club earlier this year and is committed to returning the course and club to the top echelon of private clubs.  In addition to on-course changes, plans also call for improvements to be made to dining spaces, locker rooms, pool area and fitness facilities.

“We, at Saticoy Partners, are so happy to be working closely with Arnold Palmer Design, Troon and the great team at The Saticoy Club to restore Saticoy to its rightful place as one of the great golf courses in California and all of the United States,” said Bill Apfelbaum, managing partner of Saticoy Partners.