FireRock Country Club, Fairview, Arizona – an original design of Gary Panks, ASGCA Fellow – will undergo a course enhancement led by Andy Staples, ASGCA (Staples Golf Design) this summer.
Golf Course Industry reports:
“When I first walked onto the property, I was struck by the dramatic nature of the site, and the quality routing,” Staples said. “My plan is to bring out the best of the site by instilling a more strategic, natural style of bunkering, filled with drama for every level of player. We’ll also look to the future by finding ways to make the Club’s operation much more sustainable.”
Course enhancements will include:
- Bunkers will be renovated and some will be eliminated or relocated
- Fairways, rough and tee boxes will be re-grassed using Celebration Bermudagrass
- Green surrounds, and approaches will be refined to create more options for hole locations (without changing the contours of the greens)
- All existing tee boxes will be rebuilt and additional tees will be added, including a significant number of new forward/family tee.
“All of the course improvements are focused on building upon the great course that exists today. The changes will provide our members with better playing conditions in this amazing setting that fits so naturally within the elevation changes and desert scenery of FireRock,” general manager Tim Geesey said. “The membership support that we received is a significant statement about the position of our Club just a few years after transitioning from the original developer.”
Planning for the course is currently well underway, as Staples will work closely with superintendent Craig Werline and other key staff and club stakeholders. FireRock will also continue to make improvements in and around the clubhouse to further enhance the experience for the members.