25-year-old Arizona course uses summer months to complete enhancement project

Eagle Mountain Golf Club in Fountain Hills, Arizona, recently completed a four-month golf course renovation and enhancement project. The project, which began in mid-May, focused on enhancing agronomic conditions and bunker playability at the 25-year-old property.

Troon’s agronomy and golf course development teams oversaw the planning and management of the project with Scottsdale-based Casa Verde Golf executing the work. With enhancements occurring during the slower summer months, the golf course did not close as crews worked around play.

The 18-hole Scott Miller-designed golf course originally opened for play in 1996. The renovation and enhancement work focused on three areas: drainage, irrigation and bunkers. Drainage areas in approaches and landing areas were renovated to support turf health along with firmer and faster conditions. Bunkers were modified (some eliminated), reshaped and rebuilt incorporating a drainage and liner system featuring Capillary Concrete. The new bunkers were refilled with premium 50:50 bunker sand (50 percent white and 50 percent tan blended together).

Crews also improved various wash crossings and made landscape enhancements throughout the course. The Eagle Mountain agronomy team and Casa Verde Agronomic Solutions performed an extensive soil remediation project aimed at improving long-term turf quality and playing conditions.

“We are extremely pleased with the results of the renovation and enhancement project at Eagle Mountain Golf Club,” said Dave Nicholls, senior vice president of science and agronomy for Troon. “The team at Casa Verde Golf did an exemplary job with the bunker renovation and the irrigation enhancements, completing the project on time and under budget all while working around play.”

The par-71, 6,800-yard course is located in the ravines and foothills of the McDowell Mountains just east of Scottsdale. In 2020, Eagle Mountain Golf Club moved under the Troon Golf brand and is now managed by the resort and daily-fee division of the leading golf management company.

“We believe these refinements will help elevate the club back to the top of both resident and visitor ‘must play’ lists,” said Phil Green, Troon’s executive vice president of managed properties for the West.