SCOTTSDALE – The JW Marriott’s Camelback Inn Resort & Spa has been entertaining the rich and famous, as well as local golfers, for over 60 years. People like George Bush, Clark Gable, Jimmy Stewart, Oprah Winfrey and Bette Davis have relaxed at this outstanding Scottsdale-area resort, which in 1967 became the first-ever Marriott Resort.
One of the many draws is the championship golf – 36 holes, including the Padre Golf Club designed by renowned Arthur Hills. And while travelers and locals alike love the challenge and the vistas, it wasn’t a perfect layout.
“We had a couple of holes where the sight lines weren’t the best from the tee box,” said Kirk Hardin, Director of Golf Grounds. “We wanted to improve those holes by moving some mounds and relocating bunkers.”
The call went out to Pro Turf International to do the reshaping, and the work started in June.
“I’ve known the guys at Pro Turf International for a long time,” said Hardin. “I have been at golf courses like TPC Scottsdale where they have completed projects before. I like working with them, simply because of the quality and craftsmanship I get from those guys.”
Kip Wolfe, Director of Operations for Pro-Turf International, liked this project as well.
“Not only is this an outstanding resort, it has a lot of history,” said Wolfe. “The golf courses are really well done. We were just called on to slightly improve upon what is already a great golf product.”
Pro Turf was contracted to reshape the fairway landing areas on holes No. 14 and No. 16 on the Padre Course. Both holes featured extensive mounding with bunkers in the middle of the fairway. On 14 they cut a new bunker on the left side of the fairway and removed the high mounding.
“That just allowed for more landing area for tee shots, and better line of sight for the golf hole,” said Wolfe. “We basically did the same thing on 16, cutting a new bunker on the right side, and removing the large mounding that was in landing area. These changes just made the holes more playable.”
Hardin agrees.
“Now you can see from the tee box how the hole is supposed to be played,” he said. “The golfers who have played it so far really like it. Pro Turf did a great job. They were on time and on budget, and delivered exactly what we wanted.”
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.
For more information, visit www.pro-turf-intl.com.
Contact:
Mike Jamison
407-328-0500, ext. 1
mike@jamisongolf.com
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