Courtesy of El Macero Country Club
El Macero Country Club recently started a multi-million-dollar golf course renovation project. The project began April 21 and is scheduled to be completed by the end of August, with member play starting September 1.
Santa Rosa, California-based Golfplan — Dale & Ramsey Golf Course Architecture is overseeing the course renovation and DHR Golf Construction is the contractor.
During the project, crews will rebuild all 18 green complexes, softening their shapes to allow water to flow away from the greens. Green surfaces will be sodded with TifTuf, a drought-tolerant hybrid Bermudagrass, while collars around the greens will be sodded with bentgrass. The square footage of bunkers across the golf course will be reduced by 60 percent, with the renovated bunkers receiving new drainage, liners and sand. The updated bunkers will also have more points of entry, easing access and enhancing course conditions.
“We’re excited about the course renovation and the improvements being made,” El Macero general manager Chris Johnson said. “The new pure white sand will be a dramatic difference visually, while members will be given different shot options around the greens with newly designed collection areas and reduced bunker footprints. The turf conditions of the green surrounds will also perform better throughout the year compared to the previous common bermudagrass.”
El Macero was founded in 1961 by C. Bruce Mace as part of the El Macero property development. The members purchased the club from the Mace family in 1966.
Located about 10 miles west of Sacramento, the club meanders through the El Macero development and encompasses about 168 acres within beautiful residential surroundings. The 18-hole parkland-style championship course was designed by course architect Bob Baldock in 1961 and stretches to more than 6,860 yards. It has been managed by Troon Privé since 2007.
