Nearly fifty years after it opened, Hillcrest Golf Course in Durango, Colo., has completed a major renovation directed at improving playability and updating the course.
Like many courses, conditions at Hillcrest had gradually declined over the years, said golf course architect Kevin Norby.
Although the club installed a new irrigation system in 2009, none of the other features or elements had been updated since the back nine was built in the 1970s. In addition, hundreds of white spruce and cottonwood trees planted by well-intended members 40 years ago had become overgrown. As a result, the playing corridors had narrowed significantly and turf quality was suffering due to root encroachment and shade.
In 2011, the club retained Norby to complete a long-range master plan geared primarily toward increasing revenue. That study included a complete architectural assessment of the course as well as a detailed review of the club’s fee structure, management and marketing. Working with golf strategist James Keegan of Golf Convergence, Norby recommended a change in the fee structure and a more aggressive marketing effort. The club raised its season pass rate and implemented a tiered pricing strategy, punch cards and a key charge for each golfer. With nearly 40,000 rounds annually, revenues jumped, which in turn allowed the club to accelerate its capital improvement schedule. “The goal was to improve course conditions, make the game more enjoyable for the average golfer and improve the golfer’s perception of value,” Norby said.
In 2014, the club moved forward with the first phase of improvements, including removal of nearly 150 trees, a complete bunker renovation and the repositioning and reconstruction of many of the tee complexes. In the process, the club was able to address some of the safety and drainage issues as well. The most significant improvement came from removing trees, which created wider landing areas and improved views of the surrounding mountains, Norby said. “We’ve already seen improvements in turf quality and pace of play” said Jack Morrison, board member and project liaison for the club.
Hillcrest Golf Course sits on top of a scenic mesa overlooking Durango in the Four Corners area of southwest Colorado. The course is the home of the Fort Lewis College golf team. It is also widely recognized throughout the region as home to the Navajo Tournament, a regional tournament which hosts some 50 area golf professionals and 140 amateurs each year.
Although the club wanted to make sure the course was enjoyable and playable for the average golfer, it was also important to maintain some of the challenge and strategy that the better golfer looks for. Some of the new changes will force Fort Lewis College golfers to make smarter decisions, said Guy Begay, head coach for the college’s teams.
Other significant improvements occurred on the par-5 10th hole where Norby realigned the fairway, moved the bunkers and improved drainage. The fairway was very flat, which created poor drainage and poor turf quality. Similar changes were made on the par-4 13th hole where Norby realigned fairway and tees and new fairway bunkers create a more strategic hole. “We removed the old fairway bunkers and added a series of bunkers set up as a diagonal hazard at about 100 yards from the green,” he said. That widened the landing area for most golfers but added a little strategy and challenge for the better golfer.
Other changes included the reconstruction of the drivable par-4 11th hole where Norby realigned the tees and added three small but relatively deep bunkers near the green to create a better risk-reward opportunity.
Construction started in July and work was completed in October. The reaction this spring has been very positive, said head golf professional John Vickers.
Norby is the owner and principal of Herfort Norby Golf Course Architects. Other recent projects include renovations at Coal Creek Golf Course in Louisville, Colo., and Braemar Golf Course in Edina, Minn.