East Nine completed and West Nine undergoing renovation
NORMAN, Oklahoma — Tripp Davis and Associates, along with golf course contractor Course Crafters, is back at Green Tree Country Club in Midland, Texas, to continue construction on the West Nine.
The club’s East Nine was completed in 2022 and opened for member play Labor Day weekend.
“The members have found that the East Nine design requires a thoughtful approach to playing each hole, and that the greens are challenging yet fair,” said Wray Crippin, COO Green Tree Country Club. “The East Nine has fantastic turf quality, and the course went from flat West Texas land to a unique golf course with undulating fairways not commonly seen in this area. We are excited to see what Tripp will do on the West Nine.”
TDA will now focus on redoing all the tee complexes, fairways, bunkers and greens on the West Nine. Most of the irrigation will be upgraded. Tif 419 Bermuda will be used in the roughs and fairways, and the greens will have .007 Bent Grass.
New practice facilities along with a 20,000 square foot lighted putting course named The Pine also were constructed last summer. The Pine has quickly proved to be a great place for members to finish up after a round or enjoy evening putting matches.
According to club member Kevin Thornton, The Pine is a fun addition. “When my 12-year-old son Brayden and I step up to the first hole, it’s anybody’s game on this unique putting course.”
“Green Tree is one of the best clubs in West Texas and we are extremely proud of our association here as the design team for two major renovations,” said Davis. “Course Crafters is off to a good start on the West Nine with project superintendent Terry Mausbac leading the charge and getting holes No. 1, 2, and 3 grassed before the Christmas holidays. The design of the golf course is really starting to pop thanks also to the talents of shaper Bill ‘Hollywood’ Willingham. It has been a very creative project to create interest on such a flat site reminiscent of the classic style of Australian Sand Belt courses such as Royal Melbourne and Kingston Heath.”
Construction is expected to be complete in early summer of this year, but the Club is committed to not opening the course until it is fully ready, explains Tripp Davis’ right hand man Kyle Downs.
