Bobby Weed, ASGCA, (Bobby Weed Golf Design) has completed a nine-month modernization of the Lagoon Course at the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club, his second project at the course, following a 2007 renovation.
“Led by Herbert Peyton, chairman of Gate Petroleum, the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club has entrusted our firm for nearly 30 years to guide the evolution of the Ocean and Lagoon Courses,” Weed said. “The Lagoon’s shorter layout, with numerous half-par holes, offers a diverse, faster playing experience that perfectly complements the bolder Ocean Course.”
The front nine was designed by ASGCA Founding Member Robert Trent Jones in 1961. The back nine was added by Joe Lee in 1978.
In 2007, Weed redesigned and lengthened the par 70 layout to 6,025 yards.
The following elements were included in Weed’s latest project at the AAA Five-Diamond Resort:
Greens
All golf course and practice greens (20 total) were rebuilt to USGA standards and grassed with TifEagle bermudagrass. Original green sizes were restored. Intricate contouring was enhanced to accommodate modern day green speeds. New irrigation surrounds on all green complexes were added to more efficiently control and manage watering inputs.
Grassing
Tees, fairways and roughs were re-grassed wall-to-wall with TifTuf bermudagrass. The bright green characteristic of the turf provides a striking contrast alongside the native coquina shell areas that flank the edges of many holes.
Bunkers
Bunkers were restored to their original flat-bottomed design. New drains, liners and sand were installed throughout the golf course.
Practice Facility
Adjacent to the first tee, the practice putting green was significantly enlarged. The chipping green was re-designed and lowered to better maximize the overall utilization of the playing area.