ORO VALLEY, Arizona – Like any popular golf course that has enjoyed years of usage, wear and tear, The Views Golf Club In Oro Valley recently decided it was time for a complete bunker refurbishment.
So the community-owned club in the Tucson, Arizona area contracted with PTI Golf and golf course architect Mike Gogel to re-do 22 greenside bunkers. But what they received in return was much more than relined, stable bunkers. Some of the holes received an adjustment in playability.
“Strategically we improved a few holes,” said Gogel, who has worked with PTI on several projects in the past. PTI Golf is a golf course maintenance, construction and landscaping company based in Las Vegas. “We looked at some of the player trends around the greens and made adjustments, giving them more shot options. We re-shaped some bunkers and made minor shifts in location with others. Overall we improved the payability.”
One example is No. 16, a par 5 that plays up to 512 yards, where the crew added a bunker on the left side of the green.
“Players would tend to miss the green to the left, and there was a big mound that fell 12 to 15 feet down,” said Gogel. “Now, the new bunker catches many of those wayward shots, keeping them from rolling way down to the bottom of the mound. The bunker also provides better framing of the hole.”
Another major change was made to No. 4, a lengthy par 4 with a split fairway. Previously there was a bunker guarding the right side of the green, so players tended to play away from that, and often would miss left, where the desert creeps close to the green.
“We took out that right-side bunker and created a closely mown area which provides a variety of shot options,” said Gogel. “We also added a mogul left of the green to catch balls before they rolled into the desert. It is a much more player friendly green area now.”
The Views Golf Club is a community-owned facility that offers annual passes as well as daily fee rates. With eight sets of tees for both men and women, you will certainly find a tee location that fits your game. From the championship tees that stretch to 6715 yards with a course rating of 72.2 and a slope of 133 to the forwards tees of 4775 yards with a course rating of 69.6 and slope of 112, the options make the course enjoyable for every skill level.
The front nine meanders through spectacular dry washes or arroyos that will test your nerve as well as your course management skills. The back nine takes you to the higher ground of The Views Golf Club. More elevated tee shots, sharp doglegs and spectacular mountain views highlight the inward half of the course.
The bunker renovation project has proven to be popular with The Views members, who have been very vocal in their praise of the work.
“I think it turned out great,” said Gogel. “The bunkers have a little more of a classic style to them now. They function much better as far as infrastructure, draining, keeping faces in place and keeping contaminants out. Strategically the course sets up much better for the members now.”
Gogel and Las Vegas-based PTI have teamed up on many renovation projects over the years at various courses in the southwest, including a greens renovation job five years ago at The Views At Oro Valley.
“Working with PTI on this project was as good as it always is,” said Gogel. “Their crews are always easy to work with. Any tweaks we wanted to make to the original plan was always met with the same response: ‘No problem Mike. We will get it done.’ I really enjoy working with PTI.”
For more information, visit www.ptigolf.com.