Tucson, Ariz. – Golf course architect Ken Kavanaugh will be on hand Aug. 14 for the grand opening of his latest design, Rochelle Ranch, located in Rawlins, Wyo. Rochelle Ranch is a municipal golf course run by the City of Rawlins. The facilty is a gift from local ranchers and investors Curt and Marian Rochelle, who wanted to give something back to their community.
Built by Landscapes Unlimited of Lincoln, Neb., the course measures 7,925 yards from the championship tees and 5,763 yards from the front markers. To accommodate a variety of players on a site that often features strong prairie breezes, Kavanaugh designed extra-wide, strategically bunkered fairways. The layout sports a rugged, rough-hewn look, with weathered, wind-blown bunkers and expansive sand dunes.
“The course looks as if it were found instead of built,” Kavanaugh says. “It blends beautifully with the natural landscape of Wyoming. I hope the community will enjoy playing it as much as I enjoyed building it.”
Closer to home, Kavanaugh is planning an extensive renovation of Tucson’s Arthur Pack Golf Course. This will include work on the practice facility, driving range and reconfiguring several holes for a new teaching academy run by former University of Arizona and Australian Tour player, Rich Mueller.
Kavanaugh also is involved with the First Tee project at El Rio Golf Course in Tucson, donating his time and expertise for an extensive renovation in conjunction with PGA Tour Services.
Two hours north of Tucson, Kavanaugh is set to begin construction on Vista Verde, an 18-hole championship golf course near Scottsdale. In Silver City, N.M., Kavanaugh is designing a practice facility for the Western New Mexico University golf team.
