RIO VERDE, AZ (Dec. 15, 2017) – As the homeowners association at Tonto Verde Golf Club began to evaluate the club’s pair of championship courses, two things were clear.
One, the designs by David Graham and Gary Panks were outstanding, providing a challenging and enjoyable golf experience on both the Peaks and Ranch layouts.
Secondly, the bunkers needed immediate attention. They were difficult not only to escape from, but also to climb in and out of. Also, they did not handle rain very well.
So the HOA signed architect Mike Gogel to handle the issue, and he immediately contracted with Pro Turf International to utilize PTI’s renowned Linebacker Bunker Liner® for the renovation.
“The bunkers were originally built with flashy photography in mind,” said Gogel, an Arizona-based designer. “The members were having an issue with accessing the bunkers, and the maintenance staff was struggling with maintaining them. Our goal was to reduce the square footage of the bunkers and eliminate the issues.”
Two summers of work and 42 bunkers later, the goal has been accomplished. And the Linebacker bunker liner product played a key role.
“There are a number of liner products to choose from, but Linebacker really fit our environment well,” said Gogel. “The product is clean, easy to install and very easy to work with and maintain. When adjustments are needed around the bunkers, this product allows the superintendent to do it in house, which is a great cost-saver.”
Gogel and PTI also made some strategic changes to the bunkering. For instance, all the par fives on the Peaks course were wide open, allowing players to grip it and rip it from tee to green. Strategic bunkering was added in the landing areas on these holes, forcing players to give some thought to their second shots.
The Ranch’s 14th was meant to be a driveable par four. But a series of bunkers that stretched across the fairway near the landing area was forcing members of the 55-and-over club to lay up short of the bunkers with less than a driver. So Gogel opened up the hole, leaving bunkers in strategic spots but giving players more options from the tee.
Feedback from the members has been positive.
“From the response we’ve received, they are very happy,” said Gogel. “They can now get in and out of the bunkers easily, and all of the bunkers now drain well.”
This isn’t the first project for which Gogel has utilized PTI. And based on his comments, it won’t be the last.
“They are enjoyable to work with,” said Gogel. “No egos. I like working with smaller companies like PTI. While we all want to make money, you get the feeling that it is not their main focus. Working with PTI is like working with a family-owned business. They are versatile when things come up. There is more give and take. They are very willing to work toward solutions that make all parties happy.
“And, as usual, we finished the project on time and under budget.”
The folks at Pro Turf International were also pleased with the working relationship.
“It was a pleasure to work on the Tonto Verde project with Mike,” said Kip Wolfe, principal of PTI. “Mike always tailors his work to the client’s needs and desires. He is flexible when it comes to giving the clients exactly what they are looking for.”
ABOUT PRO-TURF INTERNATIONAL INC.
Pro-Turf International, Inc. (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. In short, PTI can simplify the process of completing your golf course or landscape project by providing a reputable package of services.
Partner companies include Key Golf Management which provides course owner/operators with skilled golf course maintenance teams that leverage Pro-Turf International’s talent & expertise; BunkersPlus, which does bunker refurbishing with its Linebacker Bunker Liner; and Solutions 4Earth, which produces the Ultimate Turf fertilizer and other eco-friendly products.
For more information about PTI, visit www.ptigolf.com, or call 1-702-629-7524.
ABOUT TONTO VERDE GOLF CLUB
The Tonto Verde golf community offers you golf course living at its finest. With two distinctly different and challenging 18-hole championship golf courses, designed by Gary Panks and David Graham, our Arizona golf retirement community near Scottsdale, AZ is a desert gem with national recognition for its charm and play-ability. Both courses, the Peaks and the Ranch, are immaculately maintained and are known for being some of the finest greens in the valley.
The beauty of the courses begins with a magnificent setting and mountain views in every direction. Six tees with ten different tee combinations on each course provide options for golfers of all ages and handicaps. Yardage on the various tees range 3772 from the silver tees on the Peaks course to 7004 from the tips on the Ranch course.
Both courses in the Arizona golf community have been carved from the desert, and have been designed to incorporate much of the natural, desert terrain creating a true, desert golf experience. For more information visit www.tontoverde.org.
Contact:
Mike Jamison (407-328-0500)
mike@jamisongolf.com
