Page 48 - LVGL FALL 2017

[ GOLF ]

W H A T ’S NE W

U.S. Open Doctor breathes

new life into Rio Secco

Rees Jones has overseen the construction and renovation of some of
America’s top golf courses and his renovation work at Rio Secco is a success.

STORY BY BRIAN HURLBURT | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED BY RIO SECCO GOLF CLUB

tional Golf Club. He is fully engaged in every croach on the course. As golfers play it now,
aspect of the improvements at Rio Secco. they are playing a pure golf course and not a
“This is an amazing topographical site, real estate golf course. This is a big, bold site,
and I thought it was best piece of land in Las and it has matured substantially in 20 years.
Vegas at the time it was built,” Jones says. Now we’re going back to the future, and we
“The course reflects golf in this area very will be eliminating some bunkers to make it
well and the beauty of Rio Secco, and why it more playable for the average player but also
continues to be regarded as one of the best refurbishing bunkers near the greens to make
layouts in the west, is the original owner it more playable for the better players. We
wanted to make sure the homes didn’t en- also completed a lot of work on the greens

Rees Jones

egendary golf course architect
Rees Jones led the major reno-
vation of Rio Secco Golf Club,
Lwith plans for the completion of
the project and reopening of the course on
track. The renovation includes 18 new greens,
several greenside bunker transformations, a
new practice facility, and a new practice green
at the Butch Harmon School of Golf located
on the property.
The purpose of the renovation was to up-
date the course features and practice facilities
to today’s playing standards with a focus on
increasing playability and sustainability. The
course is scheduled to official reopen in early
October.
Jones, Rio Secco’s original architect, is
known as “The Open Doctor” for his redesign
of 23 courses in preparation for major cham-
pionships (a total of 33 events), including
Bethpage State Park’s Black Course, Baltusrol
Golf Club’s Lower Course, and Hazeltine Na- 14th green after renovation

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