Course of the Week: Boone County Golf undergoing major bunker renovation

(Photo: Boswell Golf Design/Topp Shape Enterprises)

Boone County Golf recently began a major project to renovate bunkers and tee complexes at Lassing Pointe Golf Course in Union, Ky. Other recent projects include the renovation and expansion of the Boone Links Clubhouse, the installation of new cart paths at both courses and bunker renovations at Boone Links.

Boone County Golf operates as a full auxiliary, and all projects are funded by revenue generated at the courses with no support from county tax dollars.

(Photo: Boswell Golf Design/Topp Shape Enterprises)

Bill Boswell, ASGCA, of Boswell Golf Design, will design and implement the renovation of bunkers and tee complexes at the course. The renovation is split into a two-phase schedule. Phase one began on Oct. 17th. Phase two will begin in September of 2023.

• Phase one includes bunker renovation for holes eight, nine, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17.
• Phase two includes bunker renovation for holes one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, 11 and 18, and tee complex renovation for holes two, seven and 11.

“The original 1993 bunkers have deteriorated over the years and have come to have washouts, contaminated sand/mud and hold lots of water,” Justin Pack, director of golf course grounds, said. “Aesthetically, they are not at the level we desire, and play is being impacted.”

Topp Shape Enterprises, a golf course construction company, will lead the Phase 1 bunker renovation. The company has completed renovations at courses such as NCR Country Club, Cold Stream CC, Moraine CC and Scioto CC. They are a Certified Installer of the Better Billy Bunker System, which is used for the bunker renovation.

Tom Topp, vice president and lead shaper for Topp Shape Enterprises, was the primary shaper for Midwest Golf when they built Lassing Pointe in 1993.

“The bunkers need to be addressed because of drainage, but also reducing the number of bunkers to an amount that can be easily maintained. We studied each hole and re-evaluated the strategy. Some bunkers will be enlarged and reshaped, while many will be reshaped into creative grass features,” Boswell said. “We will construct the bunkers with the Better Billy Bunker method – proven to be the best product for this area.”

In order to facilitate the implementation of phase one, Lassing Pointe closed nine holes on October 10, 2022. The course will re-open in the spring of 2023 at normal operation.