LAS VEGAS – When PTI Golf took over management of golf course maintenance at Spanish Trail Country Club in August of 2023, the team faced a daunting task. Many holes at the historic, 27-hole complex had fallen into disrepair. Staff morale was low. Membership morale was even lower.
It was not going to be easy.
Now, 20 months after their first day on the job, the PTI team can feel a great sense of accomplishment and pride, says Spanish Trail general manager Brian Jorgenson.
“We are 100 percent satisfied with PTI,” said Jorgenson. “They have gotten us back to the point where members are commenting daily on the steps forward PTI has made and the quality product they are delivering. Morale is way up among members, and among the staff. It has been a great success so far.”
Spanish Trail features three Robert Trent Jones Jr.-designed nines – Canyon, Lakes, and Sunrise. The club is nestled in a 640-acre secure residential enclave located just four miles west of the Las Vegas Strip. Inviting, mature, and lush surroundings form a peaceful escape from the high-energy, non-stop action only a few miles away.
When PTI first arrived at Spanish Trail however, the tranquility had been disrupted by tension born from poor course conditions.
“Members weren’t happy and there was tension among the staff members,” said head superintendent George Folopoulos, who came over from another PTI-managed property, Red Rock Country Club. “There were about a dozen greens that had desiccated turf. Some of the collars and approach areas had voids and inconsistent turf patterns. We discovered contamination of seasonal grass, and the dormant turf was riddled with goose grass, crab grass and more.”
The crew began by growing in new turf on all desiccated areas on the greens, and re-sodding and using special herbicides on fringes and approach areas. Folopoulos then altered mower cut height on the greens and collars, using three different heights based on condition of the areas.
Beyond turf repair, PTI has completed many other projects that have upgraded the Spanish Trail golf experience. These include upgrading irrigation system components with newer technology, renovating three bunkers, overseeding collars and tees, and creating a new fertility program.
And off the course, Folopoulos has enhanced communication between maintenance and membership. He creates and distributes a weekly “Turf Talk” email blast, updating members on maintenances projects, not only what they are doing, but why they are doing it.
“We want to continuously update and educate the members,” said Folopoulos. “We take pride in what we do, and we want the members to know how much it means to us to provide a high-quality golf course for them.
“I just received an email from a member that was so positive – unlike anything I have ever received. I think we’ve restored the trust of the membership.”
That has not gone unnoticed by Jorgenson.
“I appreciate George’s interaction with the members, and his commitment to the product seven days a week,” said the GM. “I respect the PTI management team from the top down, and that definitely includes George. I appreciate his knowledge.”
While PTI Golf has accomplished quite a bit at Spanish Trail, there is plenty more to come. That includes a proposal for turf reduction, which addresses a regional issue of rising costs and expanding restrictions of water usage. The plans call for elimination of about 40 acres of turf in non-essential play areas.
“Everything I’ve heard about our progress so far has been positive,” said Folopoulos. “The greens are incredible. There is now a uniformity from course to course. And the other areas we’ve worked on are doing well. But it’s a long-term process. It’s very acceptable where we are now, but we’re a long way from where we want to be.”
For more information, visit www.ptigolf.com.
