85 CAGUAS GC an extended period of decline in the course’s history,” says Cupp. “Also, due to the ongoing conundrum of distance, nearly all the fairway bunkers were tactically irrelevant by today’s measure, so those locations have been adjusted. The style of bunkers is very different from the originals, too.” The infrastructure of the bunkers has been updated to improve performance and recovery from rain events, with CapillaryFlow lining and Tour Angle sand. “We also paid a lot of attention to fairway lines and widths,” says Cupp. “Adjustments to the fairways created some expanses of rough and we used the opportunity to add some trees in key areas.” Sherwood adds: “Tees and fairways have gone through a heavy aerification and verticutting programme followed by a heavy topdressing regimen. Many tees were expanded to endure heavy traffic, as part of our sustainability plan.” “Greg did a fantastic job of recapturing the golf corridors that had been lost to the intrusion of vegetation along the periphery,” says Cupp. “Holes twelve and thirteen are 1,000 per cent better because of this work! He has also done a great job of caring for the specimen trees and the results have been nothing short of spectacular. When the flamboyants [a tree variety known for its umbrella-shaped canopy and red blossom] are in full bloom, the property is stunning.” The Caguas team has also treated trees for termites and parasites, and an arborist has coordinated pruning and fertilising for every tree on the property. More than 40 trees have been transplanted, and 175 new trees plus a variety of shrubs added, as part of the project. Under the ground, a two-wire irrigation system with more than 1,400 sprinklers has been installed, along with a new pump station and backup generator. Over $1.5 million has been invested in the golf course maintenance facility, a new fleet of equipment and new staff. A Waste2Water equipment washdown Fairway bunkers have been relocated to be more relevant for modern hitting distances Photo: Caguas Golf Club “ The redesign led to a reinvention of the course strategy”
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