Players in this year’s P&G Beauty NW Arkansas Championship presented by John Q. Hammons have two exciting changes to look forward to: A $1.8 million prize purse – up $100,000 from the 2008 event – and a newly renovated playing field. Scheduled to be held September 11-13, 2009, the tournament will once again be staged at Pinnacle Country Club in Rogers, AR, which recently completed a $6.2 million golf course re-design by noted architect Randy Heckenkemper. The course re-opened for member play on June 1.
“We are thrilled to welcome the best players in the world back to Pinnacle Country Club for what has become one of the most exciting and successful tournaments on the LPGA Tour,” said Mike Hudson, President of Pinnacle Country Club. “We are confident the subtle competitive enhancements and conditioning improvements made to the course under Randy Heckenkemper’s direction will contribute to a memorable tournament experience for competitors, members and fans alike.”
The P&G Beauty NW Arkansas Championship will feature 54 holes of competition over three days. Practice rounds will be played on Monday and Tuesday, September 7 and 8; Pro-Am events will be held on Wednesday and Thursday, September 9 and 10; and the tournament will take place Friday, September 11 through Sunday, September 13. The 2009 champion will receive $270,000. Last year’s champion, Seon Hwa Lee, received $255,000 for the title.
The renovation at Pinnacle was initiated to modernize and fine-tuning the golf course without jeopardizing the unique character and topographical nuances that have made the course a favorite among both members and LPGA players. Known for his impeccable attention to detail, hands-on approach and reverence for nature, Heckenkemper worked with Pinnacle Country Club Golf Course Superintendent Todd Towery and his team to totally re-vamp the playing surfaces using a variety of cutting-edge, finely textured turfgrasses, with an eye toward enhancing the strategic value of the layout while ensuring premium conditions regardless of the weather. Fairways, tees and green surrounds were converted from Meyer Zoysia grass to Zorro Zoysia, a fine emerald-green colored, player-friendly variety that thrives in heat and humidity; roughs were converted to a tall fescue/Midnight Kentucky Bluegrass Blend, a cool season grass that is highly tolerant and disease-resistant; and greens were converted to Tyee Creeping Bentgrass, a superior putting surface that is heat-tolerant, exceptionally dense and resistant to brown patches and weed invasion.
Most significant in the renovation was the re-building of the greens throughout the course, many of which were completely re-positioned. Additionally, greenside and fairway bunkers were added to some holes while others were re-located or completely removed – most notably, the long fairway bunker at the par-4 5th hole; a state-of-the-art SubAir sub-surface “vacuum” system was installed to remove excess moisture on the greens; a technologically advanced irrigation system was added, along with a new pump station; tee boxes were rebuilt to allow for better drainage, and then laser leveled; and beautiful new water features and trees were added to enhance the overall aesthetics of the course. Adding to the risk/reward value of the course, the layout was lengthened from 6,745 yards to 7,001 yards while remaining a par-71. The results are subtle but dramatic, and sure to be noticed by players who have competed in previous NW Arkansas Championships.
Golf course improvements at Pinnacle Country Club were complemented by upgrades to the practice areas, cart paths and parking lots, as well as the club’s luxurious, inviting clubhouse – already a magnificent focal point for member dining, socializing and relaxation, as well as tournament hospitality.
“We are very impressed with the renovations and believe the course will provide an exciting yet difficult challenge for the LPGA Tour golfers,” said David Shoemaker, Director of Sales for the Northwest Arkansas Championship. “Pinnacle is a great host venue, and Mike Hudson and his staff have always worked to provide a quality club for their members as well as our event. We greatly appreciate the fine work they have done in getting the course ready for September.”
