GAYLORD, MI – This past weekend provided a major showcase for the Loon Golf Resort in Gaylord, MI, in two ways.
Renowned instructor Butch Harmon was on hand for a Troops First Foundation charity event, which included a golf tournament and instruction at the Butch Harmon School of Golf located on the property. The event was a huge success, raising enough funds to build a home for a returning war veteran as part of the Operations Front Door program.
Secondly, those players were among the first to see two major renovations in the Butch Harmon Signature golf course done by Key Golf Management and Pro Turf International.
Key Golf of Las Vegas was brought in last summer to consult with resort officials on ways to improve the outstanding golf course at the Loon. It was recommended that the par-four 14th be turned into a par three, and the par-four 8th be lengthened and changed to a risk-reward par five. The changes were designed and approved by Harmon.
“The 14th was kind of a hokey par four,” said Loon Golf Resort General Manager Matt Preuss. “It was a sharp dogleg that called for a very short tee shot to the corner. Key Golf personnel relocated the green complex, and now it is a great par 3 that plays about 215 yards from the back tees.
“The other change turned a very difficult par four into a great par five. Key built a new tee, reconstructed the old tee box and removed some trees which all together, extended the hole about 70 yards.”
The reshaping of the two holes was done last fall before the weather turned. Key Golf then returned this spring to do the irrigation and grassing. The project was finished ahead of schedule.
“The Key Management team was very flexible in regards to the schedule,” said Preuss. “And they were fantastic to work with. They are very knowledgeable. They bring years of experience to the process, and they also listened to what we had to say and worked well with superintendent in regards to irrigation and other matters. We are very pleased.”
Kip Wolfe, Director of Operations for Pro-Turf International, was also excited about the finished product. “It was a pleasure to work with Matt Preuss and his staff at the Loon Golf Resort. They are making great strides in elevating The Loon Golf Resort to a tremendous ‘stay and play’ facility. Key Golf was excited join Butch Harmon to make the changes to the Loon. The significant redesign of hole #14 allowed us to make changes to the old #14 green complex and approach for the Butch Harmon ‘short game’ teaching area. That was a real bonus for the project.”
ABOUT KEY GOLF MANAGEMENT
Key Golf Management is a wholly owned subsidiary of Pro-Turf International, Inc., a Nevada corporation specializing in the golf industry for over 20 years. The company offers construction, renovation and maintenance programs. Key Golf’s client list includes high-profile courses like Cascata and Rio Secco in Las Vegas.
Key Golf also provides course owners with other services, such as national buying power with leading vendors; policy and procedure manuals; training and educational seminars for staff; and the ability for owners to know their fixed costs when it comes to course maintenance. Key Golf represents such reputable products as Tacit Products, Linebacker Bunker Liner, and BTN fertilizer.
For more information, visit www.keygolf.com.
ABOUT PRO TURF INTERNATIONAL
PTI is a unique corporation combining the finest talent available in the golf course and landscape construction industry today. With a combined experience of over sixty years, the PTI team has been involved in several of the most prestigious golf facilities in the country. PTI provides a wide range of services with the experience to offer consulting, golf course architect selection, design and budget review, project management and supervision, full-line construction, remodeling and complete golf course grow-in maintenance. PTI is a member of the Golf Course Builders Association of America.
For more information, visit www.pro-turf-intl.com.
Contact:
Mike Jamison
407-328-0500, ext. 1
mike@jamisongolf.com
