“This project is about revealing the full potential of a very special piece of land,” Eckenrode said. “The strongest holes were retained in the new layout, and the weakest holes were rerouted in entirely different locations, or orientation. Together, the new routing has wonderful variety, flow, connectivity and a rhythm to it that will really appeal to the golfers.”

Tees, bunkers, fairways and greens are being rebuilt. Fairways and tees will feature hybrid Bermuda grass, while greens will be seeded with bentgrass.

The design reduces turf acreage by replacing out-of-play areas with drought-tolerant landscaping and native grasses. Following tree removal, the course will be replanted with native oaks and sycamores.

The design aesthetic draws from the 1920s Golden Age of golf design to restore the course’s original 1927 character. “This is a 100-year-old golf course, and we are committed to the redesign evoking qualities of the great golf architecture of this era,” said Eckenrode.

Upon completion in spring 2027, the course aims to be one of the top designs in California.

Share

RISING SUN GOLF COURSE :: LOVE GOLF DESIGN

Rising Sun Golf Course at Mountain Sky Guest Ranch in Emigrant, Arizona, completed a bunker and cart path renovation. Originally designed by Johnny Miller in 2011, the course travels through native grasslands and mountainous terrain.

Davis Love III’s Love Golf Design handled the bunker renovations. The firm added 30 bunkers, removed 10 and updated the remaining hazards on the 7,130-yard, par-72 course with stacked sod walls using the Eco Bunker system.

The cart paths were upgraded with TrueGrid permeable pavers to improve durability and drainage.

“Mountain Sky is committed to maintaining and improving Rising Sun Golf Course and providing a world-class experience for our guests,” said course superintendent Mike Petersen. “The bunker upgrade enhances playability, consistency and drainage while adding the rugged, links-style look that fits our landscape.”

Debuting as a guest ranch in 1929, Mountain Sky Guest Ranch was purchased in 2001 by frequent guest Arthur M. Blank, co-founder of Home Depot and owner of the Atlanta Falcons.

THE SOCIAL ASPECT

KATKE-COUSINS GOLF COURSE :: RAYMOND HEARN

Raymond Hearn has been retained by Oakland University in suburban Detroit, Michigan, to create a master plan for the renovation of the school’s Katke-Cousins 18-hole course, home to the university’s golf teams.

Bunker enhancements will lead the project. Hearn told golfcoursearchitecture.net. “As a company, we practice sympathetic restoration with conventional renovation and that fits with the Katke-Cousins course, which has long been highly regarded. I’m excited to work with a talented group at a place where the ancient glacier did a beautiful job as the land is spectacular and perfectly suited for golf.”

Located in Rochester Hills, Katke-Cousins is part of the Meadow Brook estate. Designed by Robert Beard and Bill Newcombe, the course opened in 1977 and has hosted regional tournaments, including the Michigan Open.

“We’re honored to have Raymond Hearn touch up our classic golf course and make Katke even better than it is,” said Nick Pumford, general manager at Katke-Cousins. “We have bunkers that are 20 years old with drainage issues. Bunkers are the biggest way to enhance a golf course outside of a full renovation, and Ray has a great track record.”

Hearn, who is based in Michigan, has extensive experience in renovations in the Midwest. “Some of us who are in our leadership group here have played the courses where Hearn has worked and we see why he has a great track record not only in Michigan, but in Illinois and the Midwest,” said Connor McBride, golf course superintendent at Katke-Cousins. “Also, his having a turfgrass background and understanding maintenance as part of his design work is great on my end, especially at a facility where we have a large property with 36 holes that have to be maintained.”

If the master plan is approved by the university, renovation work will begin in October 2027.

Share The First Call | Extra

Leave a comment

Subscribe now