Course of the Week: Pete Dye Mountain and Dunes Courses undergo restoration

PGA West will renovate two of its courses, Pete Dye Mountain Course and Pete Dye Dunes Course, this summer. The greens restoration project began May 1 and should finish later this year in the fall, according to the PGA of America.

“When it comes to its incredible location against the Santa Rosa Mountains, these two Pete Dye Courses offer our Members and Guests a fantastic golf experience and breathtaking scenery,” said PGA West Executive Director Ben Dobbs. “We are fully invested in restoring the courses and bringing the imagination and vision of PGA West’s famous architects back to life.”

Photo: John Henebry

ASGCA Fellow Tim Liddy is leading the restoration projects for all three of the Pete Dye-designed Courses. The Pete Dye Stadium Course underwent phase one improvements last fall. Phase two will begin in the spring of 2024.

The Mountain and Dunes Courses renovations involve removing the turf on the existing greens and area surrounding them. Liddy and his team will reshape and expand the greens back to their original size. The greens irrigation systems will also receive improvements for efficiency and maximizing water conservation.

“I am excited to be joined by Scott Poole, Michael O’Connor and Ron Farris—three golf course ‘shapers’ who will be building and contouring the trademark Pete Dye mounds, hillocks, rolls and depressions,” said Liddy. “Combined we have over 65 years working directly with Mr. Dye on courses that have held approximately 11 major championships, two Ryder Cups, two Solheim Cups, and countless PGA tournaments.”

The project will use robotic “Total Station” technology that automatically guides the machine grading the greens from Liddy’s CAD (Computer Aided Design) drawings, restoring the original topography with precision.

“This system will greatly accelerate construction allowing our talented shapers to refine the final details and tie-ins to ensure the surrounding areas blend seamlessly into the stunning natural landscape that defines PGA West,” said Liddy.

PGA West recently made extensive renovations to the Arnold Palmer Private Course, Greg Norman Course and Nicklaus Tournament Course.

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Is your course undergoing some renovations? Did your course recently host a major event or fundraiser? Send it to Digital Media Specialist Sydney Fischer at sfischer@northcoastmedia.net, and we’ll feature it in an upcoming Course of the Week.