With watering restrictions in place and the prospect of much steeper water bills, the resort community in Patterson, Calif., will close the course designed in 1988 by Gene Sarazen and Jack Nicklaus. Diablo Grande’s Ranch Course will continue to operate.
Playing with Fire
Plush seating and cozy fire pits can turn ho-hum patios into bustling hotbeds of year-round activity.
It’s All About Time
To build on new awareness and momentum created by the USGA’s “While We’re Young” campaign, more clubs and courses are devising player-friendly solutions to help support the need for a faster pace of play.
NGCOA Announces Course of the Year Finalists
Miacomet Golf Course in Nantucket, Mass., Tam O’Shanter Golf Course in Canton, Ohio, The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch in Boerne, Texas, and Los Serranos Country Club in Chino Hills, Calif., were nominated for the award. The winner will be announced on February 6 at the NGCOA Annual Conference in Orlando, Fla.
Casino del Sol Opens Sewailo Golf Club
A ceremonial tee shot by Native American pro golfer and designer Notah Begay III opened the $28 million course in Tucson, Ariz., which caps a $130 million expansion of the resort property owned by the Pascua Yaqui tribe. Troon Golf is managing Sewailo GC, which plans to have greens fees ranging from $50 to $120 per round, depending on seasonality and demand.
Sewailo GC Partners with University of Arizona
The Tucson, Ariz., golf club has entered into an agreement with the University to become the new home course for both Wildcats golf programs. The partnership, which is effective through June 30, 2015 and comes with a five-year renewal option, allows the Arizona golf programs to have exclusive use of a separate driving range and the ability to play the course throughout the year.
BallenIsles CC Reveals Renovated North Golf Course
The $5 million design for the Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., club’s layout will deliver 18 holes of golf and also includes a Short Course that can be played quickly, answering the increasing demand for a shorter game. The grand reopening ceremony is being held December 11, during which golf instructor David Leadbetter will host a mini clinic for members.
Sewailo GC to Open December 12
The 200-acre golf course at Casino Del Sol Resort in Tucson, Ariz., is designed by Notah Begay III and comprised of 30,000 indigenous flowers, plants and cacti that have been salvaged and replanted from the original site. Additional course amenities available to resort guests and the general public include a driving range, practice areas for chipping and putting, and instructional programs.
Classic Club Signs Agreement to Switch to New Water Blend
After the Coachella Valley Water District approved a new hookup for the course, the Troon Golf property in Palm Desert, Calif. has signed on to use a blend of recycled water and Colorado River water for its irrigation needs. Previously, it had pumped its water from a well.
2013 Troon Challenge Names Winners
The series of amateur golf tournaments held on 25 courses throughout nine states drew nearly 1,000 amateur golfers. The National Finals Event was held at Troon North Golf Club in Scottsdale, Ariz., on August 24-25.
Affiniti Golf Becomes Mosaic Clubs & Resorts
Former Troon Golf CEO Hud Hinton is joining Affiniti Golf founders Whitney Crouse and Steve Willy as CEO of the new management firm. Mosaic Clubs & Resorts’ portfolio will initially include five to seven clubs, and will also continue to manage clubs under an Affiniti banner.
Troon Golf Facilities Promote Early Detection of Cancer
Throughout September, which is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, Troon daily-fee and private facilities will fly a light blue checkered flag on every 18th green to promote early detection of prostate cancer. For National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, the facilities will use pink pin flags and cups.
Coming Up Fast
As management firms of all types and sizes continue to drive industry innovation and investment, an emerging group of key players bears special watching.
The Most Important Words I Didn’t Write
If we want new members, more play, and a better club atmosphere, then we have to match our codes against the preferences of the 21st century. The best, most important editorial for the club industry in years wasn’t written by me. On page 128 of the June issue of Golf Digest, Bob Carney has written…
The Most Important Words I Didn’t Write
If we want new members, more play, and a better club atmosphere, then we have to match our codes against the preferences of the 21st century.