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Big course, big change

Rees Jones to reinvent Tampa’s Saddlebrook

Two 18-hole Palmer designs will become three nines

A $92 million revitalization is currently underway at Saddlebrook Resort, the iconic 480-acre destination near Tampa, Fla.

Rees Jones is spearheading a redesign of Saddlebrook’s golf courses. The vision: transform the two existing 18-hole Arnold Palmer layouts into a versatile 27-hole championship experience. The three newly conceived nine-hole courses can be rotated in various combinations to create three distinct 18-hole challenges, each offering a unique playing experience. The renovation began last year, incorporating six holes from the former Palmer Course and relocating the driving range closer to the main resort lobby for improved accessibility. The state-of-the-art practice facilities now span 13 acres and include a double-sided driving range extending more than 360 yards, two TifEagle bermudagrass putting greens and three short-game areas with precision-designed greenside bunkers.

The three configurations will rotate daily, with course distances ranging from 6,600 to 7,005 yards and playing to pars of 71 or 72. One course is slated to debut later this year, with another to follow early next year. The third is currently open for limited play and will undergo full renovation in spring/summer of 2026.

The golf transformation is part of a broader masterplan reimagining the entire resort. Led by architecture and design firm EoA Group, renovations span the full guest experience —updated arrival and lobby areas to redesigned guestrooms, new dining concepts and upgraded event spaces. Outdoor areas, multiple pools and Saddlebrook’s more than 40,000 square feet of meeting space are all being modernized to meet today’s standards of luxury and functionality, according to the resort.

Ground breaking at Detroit GC

Immediately upon the conclusion of the 2025 Rocket Classic, the team was ready to break out the shovels at Detroit GC for a multimillion-dollar restoration of the North Course. A few friends of Golfdom made the photo op, including Tyler Rae, architect (fourth from left), and together on the far right, Sam Moynihan, director of agronomy, and Joe Miller and Tim Maynard, both of NMP Golf Construction. The restoration will be complete before the 2026 Rocket Classic. 

Golfdom Asks

How was the summer of 2025?

In mid-July, Golfdom asked readers via our social media channels, “Fill in the blank: For superintendents, the summer of 2025 has been _.”

Many of the responses included gifs that wouldn’t be fit to print (one was Clint Eastwood angry at the rain, another was a scene from Jurassic Park… we’ll just leave it at that), but some of the others?
“Exhausting,” — Bobby Jaeger, Lake Tahoe Golf Course, South Lake Tahoe, Calif.

“Schizophrenic,” — Ryan Moore, Hidden Creek Golf Club, Egg Harbor Township, N.J.

“Very challenging! But, everyday we try and improve, even just 1 percent better. Appreciate the views, accept the defeats and provide the best the team can, day in and day out!” — Wayne Lagasse, CGCS, Stonington (Conn.) Country Club.

“Best summer ever, despite some challenges along the way,” — Adam Garr.

Watson the Wildcat

Syngenta adds Illinois manager

Former superintendent Craig Watson has joined Syngenta as a territory manager in Illinois, where he will support customers in the turf and aquatics markets.

Watson graduated from Kansas State University with a Bachelor of Science in golf course management. He has a wealth of experience in the lawn and golf industries, starting his career as a spray technician at Howe Landscape. Then, from 2012 to 2015, he was the assistant golf course superintendent at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, Ill. He then accepted a position with Morris Country Club, where he served as superintendent for seven years. Watson the transitioned to a role as a technical sales representative at SePRO. 

“Craig’s wide range of experience and knowledge in the industry makes him an invaluable resource for customers seeking actionable turf management solutions,” says Troy Rippy, Midwest district manager for turf at Syngenta. 

GCSAA news

Former super new GCSAA field staffer

Ron Prescott has been named the field staff representative for the Southeast region of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA). Prescott will be the GCSAA liaison for GCSAA-affiliated chapters in Alabama, the Florida panhandle, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee. 

Prescott joins the GCSAA staff from A.C. Read Golf Course at Naval Air Station Pensacola in Florida, where he served as superintendent since 2012. Prior to A.C. Read, he was superintendent at Glenlakes Golf Club in Foley, Ala., and Shalimar Pointe Golf & Country Club in Shalimar, Fla. 

“I’m incredibly honored to join GCSAA as the Southeast field staff representative,” Prescott says. “After more than 30 years as a proud member, this opportunity allows me to give back to the association and industry. I look forward to connecting with members and chapters throughout the region and supporting the future of our profession.”

No quit in Kwiatkowski

Former Evans Scholar new Envu T&O lead

Jeff Kwiatkowski joined Envu to lead the U.S. Turf and Ornamentals business and strategically support the North America leadership team. He brings over 20 years of strategic focus on sales and commercial operations leadership in the green industry. 

Prior to joining Envu, he served the last few years as president at a small privately held company where he led all company operations with a strategic focus on improving the customer experience. Kwiatkowski also spent 23 years at ScottsMiracle-Gro where he led multiple business units in the Americas and Europe. 

As a proud Evans Scholar alumnus from Ohio State University, Kwiatkowski dedicates much of his philanthropic efforts to supporting youth caddie programs and helping underserved students pursue a path to college.

“Helping companies in the green industry grow their business is a passion of mine,” Kwiatkowski says. “The opportunity to do so at Envu, a leader in environmental science, is exciting because it’s a legacy company that’s doing incredible things.”