CR Lutzke Golf
Golf course architect and ASGCA member Chris Lutzke set out to start the restoration process of the Harbor Course at the Grand Harbor Golf and Beach Club in Vero Beach, Florida in June. The Harbor Course was originally designed by Pete Dye in 1989 and is a traditional course with rolling fairways and dipping pot bunkers, lined by majestic oaks and fluttering palm trees.
“In the past, it was always Pete Dye who went back to previous courses to restore elements of his own courses,” CR Lutzke Golf senior designer Garrett Wasson said. “But after Pete’s passing, this is the first time Chris has had to go in and restore something Dye had originally created.”
“The intent here is to restore the Harbor Course rather than renovate it,” said CT Shaw, the vice president of golf operations for CR Lutzke Golf. “In other words, we are trying to put it back to the way it was originally designed in 1989 by Pete Dye.” During the restoration process, the team will work to adjust the shapes and lower bunker levels back to their original heights as designed by Pete Dye in 1989.
Because Dye mentored Lutzke, the team recognizes this as a somber and surreal experience for Lutzke to go in and bring back Dye’s original vision to the Harbor course, but a challenge that Lutzke is determined to face. Lutzke has numerous course designs under his belt, including The Ocean Course and Old Marsh.
CR Lutzke Golf expects the Harbor course renovations to be completed around the end of this month. More information and launch details will be shared near the project’s finish.