Boca Lago Country Club in Boca Raton, Florida, is close to completing a renovation project on its 27-hole layout, overseen by golf course architect Jan Bel Jan, ASGCA, and superintendent George Redshaw.
Scheduled to reopen in November 2018, the overhaul of the South, East and West nines includes redesigned greens, repositioned fairway and greenside bunkers, and new teeing grounds.
“We have incorporated the best elements of the original design with a revitalised approach to strategy and playability,” said Bel Jan. “We provided multiple choices of how to play each hole, with the lakes still playing a pivotal role in the character of all three nines.”
Boca Lago’s 27-hole layout was originally designed by Bruce Devlin and Robert von Hagge in 1975. The US$9 million renovation project includes modernisation of course infrastructure. A new irrigation and pump system have been installed, fairway drainage has been enhanced, and cart paths have been refreshed or removed.
“The complete revitalisation of the infrastructure will elevate the club experience for current and new members and guests,” said Steve O’Neil, general manager at Boca Lago. “The course has always been considered a thoroughly enjoyable layout and the renovation will place Boca Lago among the best private golf clubs in the region.”
Each hole will have five teeing areas. The South course will play from 2,060 to 3,212 yards, the East will play from 2,104 to 3,374 yards and the West will play from 1,742 to 2,955 yards. Flexibility in yardages for special events, wind direction and other conditions has been considered into the tee designs, locations and sizes, as well as the landing areas and bunker positioning.
All 27 new greens are being planted with TifEagle bermudagrass, fairways with Latitude 36 bermudagrass, and tees with TifGrande bermudagrass.
Practice facilities will be expanded to include more full-swing space, and improvements made to the putting area, a short game area and two practice holes that can be played in multiple ways. Practice areas will have similar grass types as the course.
“The practice holes will be a great asset to golfers who want to hone their games, as well as to those who are learning the game and everyone in between,” said Bel Jan.
The club also expects to complete an interior restoration of the clubhouse, new outdoor dining areas, renovated banquet facilities, and a refurbished tennis centre.
“The investment in Boca Lago Country Club is generating a great deal of excitement among our members,” said O’Neill. “We are looking forward to everyone in the area experiencing the transformation of the club.”