New golf course construction project at Indian Wells Golf Resort on schedule
INDIAN WELLS, Calif. – Construction of the new John Fought-designed Player’s Course is on schedule for a November 2007 grand opening, just in time for the 25th anniversary of the LG Skins Game to be played on Indian Wells Golf Resort’s Celebrity Course over Thanksgiving weekend.
"After all the planning and preparation, it’s extremely exciting to be only six months away from completing this magnificent golf course," said Roger Behling, Golf Resort Director for the City of Indian Wells. "John Fought’s vision is beginning to show through, and it’s going to be a big hit with golfers. As a golfer myself, I can’t wait to tee it up."
On the Player’s Course, all of the shaping and contouring is completed including all of the finish work on the bunkers. Green wells have been dug and filled with the myriad layers of organic and inorganic mixtures. On May 15 the fairways, roughs and tees were sprigged with 419 Bermudagrass, and the warm-weather grass on the greens will be TifEagle. Those will grow-in until early fall when the golf course will be overseeded with perennial ryegrass on the fairways, roughs and tees and Poa trivialis on the greens.
Other facilities – IW Club (clubhouse), putting course and practice facility – are scheduled to open around the in the late fall. These new facilities along with the Player’s Course and the already completed Celebrity Course will mark the completion of a facility-wide, $61 million construction project at Indian Wells Golf Resort.
Open to the public, the Indian Wells Golf Resort’s IW Club will be much more than a clubhouse; it will become the centerpiece of the community. The 53,000 square-foot building will include a golf shop, Callaway Performance Center, sports bar and grill, fine dining, private dining, gourmet café, outdoor dining, meeting space, multi-purpose room and grand lobby for pre-function activities and events. On-site amenities include new Fairway Grill, putting course, practice facilities, fire pit, lawn areas for events, and water features.
Phoenix-based Douglas Fredrikson Architects designed the IW Club to fit a Desert Modern style featuring sandstone walls, large expanses of glass, a metal roof, limestone and granite accents and stainless steel detailing. The interior will feature warm wood detailing, stone floors, leather accents, sculpted carpets and luxurious appointments. Large sliding glass doors in the dining area allow for an effortless transition to the outside patios to take advantage of mountain and golf course views. The golf shop will be a major focal point in the building. Featuring designer labels, accessories and a wide selection of women’s fashion, it will be more like an upscale retail experience than a traditional golf shop.
With keen attention to detail, every aspect of the project is viewed as another opportunity to innovate and impress. For example, Fought was also called on to design the 10 acre practice facility to ensure that it complements the quality and playing conditions found on both the Player’s and the Celebrity Courses. Typically, golf course architects are not employed to design practice facilities, but the City of Indian Wells wanted it to be more than just an afterthought. Fought incorporated several features not normally found in practice facilities such as multiple teeing areas that allow golfers to adjust their tee location in relation to conditions such as the sun and wind. Mounded areas were added so that golfers can practice side hill, uphill and downhill lies. Teeing areas with both long rough and tightly mowed fairway lies will be available allowing golfers to preview conditions that they may face on the golf course. The targets on the range will be maintained similarly to the greens on the golf course to give golfers practice conditions that replicate playing conditions on the golf course. An expansive pitching/chipping area accommodates shots up to 60 yards. And a 15,000 sq. ft. putting green completes the package. The purpose of the upgraded practice facility is twofold: to provide the best possible practice arena from a performance standpoint, and to provide an aesthetically pleasing backdrop when viewed from the nearby IW Club.
Another interesting project in the works is the Fairway Grille and adjacent event pavilion. Located across the arroyo near the golf courses, the Fairway Grille will feature a more casual setting to serve golfers before, at the turn and after their round. Traditional fare, comfortable furnishings and plasma TVs will adorn the Grille. Plus, it will open to a neatly manicured event lawn with indoor/outdoor event tent capabilities. One area of the event lawn will double as a tournament-caliber Croquet and Bocce Ball Court.
Also scheduled for a November opening is the John Fought-designed 18-hole, natural grassed, putting course lighted for evening enjoyment. This layout will be adorned with all turf surfaces, rock outcroppings, trees and other vegetation, ideal for both family fun as well as legitimate practice.
The Celebrity Course at Indian Wells Golf Resort will host the 2007 LG SKINS GAME. The City of Indian Wells, ESPN Regional Television, IMG Media and LG Electronics, Inc. agreed to a three-year deal allowing this Thanksgiving tradition to remain in the Coachella Valley through 2009. One of the top rated second-season golf events, the $1 million 25th Anniversary LG SKINS GAME will be televised on ABC Sports on November 24-25, 2007. For more information about Indian Wells Golf Resort call 760.346.4653 or visit www.indianwellsgolfresort.com.
Located in Southern California’s Coachella Valley, the Indian Wells Golf Resort has been a popular golf travel destination for nearly 20 years offering two golf courses and four hotel/resorts. The City of Indian Wells, owner of the golf resort, decided to reinvest in tourism by embarking on a $61 million project that will ultimately boast The Celebrity Course, Player’s Course, the 53,000 square foot Douglas Fredrikson-designed IW Club, a putting course and sprawling practice facility.
The Indian Wells Golf Resort is managed by OB Sports Golf Management which currently manages 29 premier golf facilities throughout the United States and Mexico. Known for its comprehensive and personalized services since 1972, OB Sports has become widely acclaimed as the leader in boutique-style golf course management. For more information about OB Sports, call 480.948.1300, or visit www.obsports.com.
Contact:
Roger Behling
(760) 346-2489
Kris Strauss
(480) 518-5003
