93 doing over the years; they kept the original concept of their contours but modified them for higher green speeds.” Jones and Weisser also completed work to tie the new surfaces into their surrounds, approach areas and bunkers, the latter of which had also morphed away from their original style over decades of play. The club was keen to rethink its approach to bunkering to better cater for its new golfer demographics since transitioning from fully private. Poe says: “Deep bunkering worked well here for years but, with the move to public attracting a broader demographic of players, more guests found it difficult to get in and out of the bunkers. While wanting them shallow, and some to be removed, we also sought a strong visual impact. “Steve came in and worked his magic on a bunker on the practice facility. We stood back and looked at it, and I knew it was what we wanted. Starting on hole one, Rees, Steve and I worked with the contractor, Total Turf Golf Services; they got the theme and we were off and running.” New lining from Capillary Flow means sand holds on the bunker face. “A third of the sand has gone, but it’s much more dramatic now,” says Jones. “And golfers are happier because they are pitched uphill, and are shallower.” While the project wasn’t conceived to reduce the overall bunker area of the course, the new scheme has resulted in less sand, which – combined with the new shaping and lining – has eased the burden on the club’s maintenance team. Jones and Weisser have also recaptured width and sightlines. “By opening up some of the overgrowth on the sides, it feels like a bigger and more dramatic golf course,” says Weisser. “By widening, the bunkers come into play more strategically.” “The magic of Quintero, from the start, is that we were able to go where we wanted – we weren’t restricted by a lack of land,” says Jones. “The desert landscape is on show and the elevation change provides drama. I think that is why it is considered among the top courses, because it has all the elements – strategy, playability, challenge – and the routing had a lot to do with that. “In architecture today, a lot of clubs are changing their courses to the chagrin of many people who loved them before. At Quintero, we’ve made them love it more without dramatic change, because I spent a lot of time on the details in the beginning.” “People refer to it as a special place,” adds Poe. “I don’t think there’s any better accolade than that.” “ By opening up some of the overgrowth on the sides, it feels like a bigger and more dramatic golf course” REPORT The renovated opening hole at Quintero Photo: Rees Jones, Inc.
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