As you can see from the photos, transformation of the west end of the practice park is well underway! The wrapping up of construction on the Performance Center signaled the start of work on new greens, tees and a practice bunker which are designed to perfectly complement the fabulous indoor performance building. This new area will feature two new 4,500-square-foot greens — one for pitching and chipping and one for practice putting. The chipping green will be contoured to accept shots from several angles and distances including shots from the 1,400-square-foot practice bunker. Contours on the practice green will be much more subtle and will allow for extended sessions to hone in your putting stroke. The complex will feature two teeing areas — one next to the building which is reserved for use with the Performance Center and the other farther south which is for general usage. The Performance Center tee will be 2,500 square feet in size, while the main tee measures a generous 18,000 square feet.
All areas are designed and will be grassed to mimic areas on the golf course. The tees will be grassed in Zeon Zoysia to match the tees and fairways on the course and the greens will be Bentgrass just like the greens on the course. The bunker will be constructed just like the golf course bunkers and will feature the same white sand shipped in from California.
As soon as construction finishes, we will begin the next stage of the project which is called “grow in.” During this time period, we will customize our water and fertilizer inputs to ensure a timely and successful opening and we anticipate a mid-summer opening of the teeing surfaces. The greens are somewhat of a wild card with a late spring seeding date but, depending on Mother Nature, should be looking good to open mid to late winter.
When all is said and done, the west end will offer a wonderful area to practice both indoors and out and we are very excited to provide this fantastic amenity to members and guests!
Jeff Eldridge, CGCS is the Director of Agronomy at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch. He can be reached at jeldridge@cordilleraranch.com or 830.336.9179.
