San Vicente Golf Resort, Ramona, California has completed a comprehensive renovation plan that upgrades the golf experience while improving the long-term sustainability of the 50-year-old property. Andy Staples, ASGCA (Staples Golf Design), directed the Club’s plan to fully renovate all putting greens, sand bunkers, and teeing complexes to increase strategy, and provide a unique style and aesthetic to the San Diego golf market. A grand opening is scheduled for April 2021. (photo: Michael Gainey, PGA)
“Our vision from the beginning was to take this course to another level in terms of design aesthetic, playability, and of course, fun,” Staples said. “I think San Vicente’s members and guests are going to be blown away with the improvements.”
The primary goals of the project were to upgrade and improve the infrastructure of all the greens and bunkers across the course, and increase their long-term maintenance efficiency. The new putting greens were built to variable depth USGA recommendations and seeded with Pure Distinction bentgrass. The turf surrounds were sprigged with Santa Ana bermudagrass, and the sand bunkers utilized the Capillary Concrete bunker liner detail. Other objectives included increased diversity of tee yardages, tree management and overall drainage improvements.
“I love what Andy has done in terms of how the new green complexes blend seamlessly into their surroundings,” said Ben McBride, San Vicente’s incoming superintendent. “It’s very similar to courses in my native Australia where shortgrass not only plays an integral role in how the course is presented for daily play, but how important it is for the design to match the maintenance regime. I can tell you this will be a pretty unique look for this area.”
The project was supported by Kimley-Horn engineers, Paul Klukas, handled the permits required by San Diego County, and Brent Harvey, was responsible for irrigation design. Heritage Links was the general contractor for construction.
“I’m really proud of what we were able to accomplish here,” says Staples. “These improvements will instill more interest and drama for every level of player. I intend for San Vicente Golf Resort to be standout golf experience worthy of play again and again.”