For the 7th time in the past decade, a Golf Inc. independent panel of judges has recognized the golf course design work of Todd Eckenrode – Origins Golf Design. This year’s competition awarded the firm’s work at Diablo Country Club, an iconic Golden Age golf course in San Francisco’s east bay, with First Place – 2021 Renovation of The Year honors in the Private Club category.
Diablo’s restoration/renovation project, which evolved from a Long-Range Master Plan, has seen a comprehensive update of every feature. This includes fully renovated new greens and green surrounds, both resurfaced to the latest improved bentgrass. The greens were restored to their original dimensions and the hugely expanded green surrounds now have a seamless connectivity, offering multiple options for the short game. All other turf was converted to drought-tolerant bermudagrass. Overall maintained turf acreage has been reduced by more than 35 acres, with these new natural areas converted to drought-tolerant native grasses, along with the California Oak understory returned to its natural state. All bunkers were recreated, many restored to their original locations based on historic aerials of the 1930’s and 40’s. All tees have been built to a more natural shape and contour, laying softly on the land as originally designed. The backbone to all of these improvements, however, is a new irrigation system. This state-of-the-art system will yield significant efficiencies in water use and aid in providing the ultimate in golf course conditioning.
The original masterful routing was preserved, featuring elements of Jack Neville’s original 1915 9-hole design and William Watson’s 1920 expansion to 18-holes. The Origins’ team of Todd Eckenrode and Andy Frank spent countless hours in the field during construction, directing every critical feature to honor and maintain the essence of this quintessential course, which reflects back to the Golden Era of Golf Course Design.
“The Club’s leadership was outstanding, providing Origins and the construction team great freedom in the process, which lead to the utmost possible design and finished golf course for the members to enjoy for decades to come”, says Todd Eckenrode. “I can’t say enough about course superintendent Ryan Nicholson and his team’s efforts and talent as well, they contributed tirelessly in the construction with fantastic results.”
“This project has given us a wonderful opportunity to provide Diablo Country Club with the infrastructure and agronomic conditions that will position the golf course well into the future. Converting to hybrid Bermuda grasses in the fairways and roughs, reducing the overall irrigated acreage with oak mulch beds and native grass plantings, as well as upgrading to a state-of-the-art irrigation system, will allow us to significantly reduce water consumption while providing more consistent playing surfaces.”, says Ryan Nicholson.
The construction team consisted of general contractor Landscapes Unlimited, irrigation contractor Foremost Construction, and a talented team of shapers including Matt Flint and Brett Hochstein, with Joe Hancock, Scott Clem and Matt Smallwood lending a hand as well.
