FireRock Country Club in Fountain Hills, Arizona, has hired golf course architect Andy Staples to oversee a ‘multi-million dollar golf course enhancement project’.

“This is an incredible opportunity for me,” said Staples. “When I first walked onto the property, I was struck by the dramatic nature of the site, and the quality routing. My plan is to bring out the best of the site by instilling a more strategic, natural style of bunkering, filled with drama for every level of player. We’ll also look to the future by finding ways to make the club’s operation much more sustainable.”

Planning is in progress, with Staples working closely with club’s superintendent Craig Werline, stakeholders and other key staff. The club will close the 18-hole golf course, originally designed by Gary Panks, in mid-May for the work.

Bunkers will be renovated, with some eliminated or relocated. Green surrounds and approaches will be refined, with the aim of creating more options for hole locations.

Fairways, rough and tee boxes will be re-grassed using Celebration bermuda. All existing tee boxes will be rebuilt, with more tees added, including a significant number of new forward tees.

FireRock’s general manager Tim Geesey said: “All of the course improvements are focused on building upon the great course that exists today. The changes will provide our members with better playing conditions in this amazing setting that fits so naturally within the elevation changes and desert scenery of FireRock. The membership support that we received is a significant statement about the position of our club just a few years after transitioning from the original developer.”