Short-cut chipping areas have been added to selected areas adjacent to greens, highlighting the design features of the ground and the interesting contours around greens. These are in the same bent grass as the new greens, and will be kept at a low height. Many continue through and tie-into the next tees to provide a seamless walking experience and flow from green to tee. Multiple short-game options are possible with this feature and improved surface, including putting, bump and runs, pitches and flop shots. Consequently, greater playability has been realized as well.

Fairways have been widened to increase strategic play, such as favoring one side of the fairway to gain an advantage into the green. This also adds necessary playability and improves the aesthetics throughout the course. Existing grasses were removed from all fairways and replaced with new hybrid Bermuda grasses that provide more density and better lies. The rough grass was grown in with “sprigs” and in a different variety of Bermuda grass than the fairways, offering a different texture and color, and is more playable at rough heights. A major benefit to moving to hybrid Bermudas is reduced water use, a major goal of the club going forward. Another characteristic of the newer Bermuda varieties such as these is a shorter dormancy in the winter. New fairway lines have been fitted to reflect new bunker locations, and “tie in” to new green approaches.

As part of the club’s well-known plan to reduce water use into the future, many acres of manicured turf have been replaced with drought-tolerant fescue grasslands in lesser-played areas. These areas are predominately on the outskirts of the property, in large voids between holes, and occasionally between tee and fairway. The goal for establishing these fescue areas is to do so slowly so as to promote space between plants and overall playability for the golfer. From an aesthetic standpoint, these areas provide a nice contrast to the manicured turf areas with their texture and color. Over time, additional drought-tolerant or native plants will be added in these areas to further naturalize the aesthetics and provide select screening.

The new course maximized improvements to the existing practice areas and improved the existing facility in many ways. The tees have been expanded to their maximum width to increase hitting areas and shifted back approximately 10-15 yards, adding depth. The greens have been rebuilt to be more representative of those on the course, including bunkering to match the course. The upper chipping green has been expanded greatly. This allows shots that more closely replicate those on the course, and allows more golfers to use the area at one time. The practice tee on Hole 18 was expanded to more than three times its former size.