Naples, Fla. - Eagle Creek Golf and Country Club, a private, gated golf community, completed a $2.2-million renovation of its 18-hole championship golf course.
Closed since April 19, 2004, the golf course underwent a transformation to replace the entire irrigation system, strip and bury the old turf, replant the entire course with certified 419 Bermudagrass and replace the asphalt cart paths with a combination of concrete paths and waste bunker material.
Eagle Creek hired Cordova, Tenn.-based C. R. Sanders to perform the work on this extensive project. The Sanders Group is recognized nationally for the work it has completed on several well known venues, most notably Augusta National, home of the Masters golf tournament.
Originally designed by Larry Packard with the added expertise of Golf Professional Emeritus, Ken Venturi, Eagle Creek strived to maintain the original design. Working with the Sanders Group, the club made subtle changes to improve the playability and enhance the beauty of the course, which is located around a natural cypress preserve.
Tees were rebuilt and laser leveled on every hole. Bunkers were reshaped to original specifications, and new sand was added. Seven holes were elevated to improve drainage and rebuilt to their original contours. According to superintendent Tom Calpin, the new irrigation system is computerized completely, allowing thorough control of all sprinkler heads for more precise watering and enabling the club to reduce water consumption.
J. Bruce Meriwether, president of the board of governors for Eagle Creek, acknowledged and thanked the members for their support in approving the renovation.