Interviews

Oakmont: An interview with Gil Hanse

With the 2025 US Open arriving at Oakmont, Richard Humphreys spoke with the architect, who renovated the course in 2023, about what to expect

Martin Ebert: Design journey

With a portfolio that includes eight of the ten Open venues, Mackenzie & Ebert occupies an enviable position in the golf design industry. Adam Lawrence spoke with principal Martin Ebert to learn how they got there

Designs for the big screen

Chad Goetz and Agustin Piza discuss their design decisions for the virtual holes that featured in the first season of TGL

Bob Harrison: Wizard of Oz

The Australian designer has had a long career and, like many of his countrymen, has spent much of it away from home. Adam Lawrence listened to his tales from the road

Ben Cowan-Dewar: Shock and awe

Golf development firm Cabot now has properties in six countries. Richard Humphreys speaks with co-founder and CEO Ben Cowan-Dewar about what makes a great site, selection of golf course architects, and more

Team building

Turfgrass has launched its US arm with the appointment of John Lawrence, Adam Moeller and Brad Owen. Richard Humphreys speaks with them, Turfgrass founder John Clarkin and director of agronomy Julian Mooney to find out more

Brian Curley: Life of Brian

The designer has surely clocked up more air miles than anyone else in the business. Adam Lawrence caught up with him in between flights to discuss his career and his new venture with Jim Wagner

Oakmont: An interview with Gil Hanse

With the 2025 US Open arriving at Oakmont, Richard Humphreys spoke with the architect, who renovated the course in 2023, about what to expect

Martin Ebert: Design journey

With a portfolio that includes eight of the ten Open venues, Mackenzie & Ebert occupies an enviable position in the golf design industry. Adam Lawrence spoke with principal Martin Ebert to learn how they got there

Designs for the big screen

Chad Goetz and Agustin Piza discuss their design decisions for the virtual holes that featured in the first season of TGL

Bob Harrison: Wizard of Oz

The Australian designer has had a long career and, like many of his countrymen, has spent much of it away from home. Adam Lawrence listened to his tales from the road

Ben Cowan-Dewar: Shock and awe

Golf development firm Cabot now has properties in six countries. Richard Humphreys speaks with co-founder and CEO Ben Cowan-Dewar about what makes a great site, selection of golf course architects, and more

Team building

Turfgrass has launched its US arm with the appointment of John Lawrence, Adam Moeller and Brad Owen. Richard Humphreys speaks with them, Turfgrass founder John Clarkin and director of agronomy Julian Mooney to find out more

Brian Curley: Life of Brian

The designer has surely clocked up more air miles than anyone else in the business. Adam Lawrence caught up with him in between flights to discuss his career and his new venture with Jim Wagner

Richard Humphreys
/ Categories: News

San Vicente reopens for preview play after Andy Staples renovation

San Vicente Golf Resort in Ramona, California, is reopening for preview play following a renovation by Andy Staples.

The architect’s plan has been to improve the golf experience and long-term sustainability of the Ted Robinson-designed course.

“This was an incredible opportunity to work with a great owner and a very unique property,” said Staples. “Our vision from the beginning was to take this course to another level in terms of design aesthetic, playability, and of course, fun. I think San Vicente’s members and guests are going to be blown away with the improvements.”

Work has been completed on the infrastructure of greens and bunkers to increase their long-term maintenance efficiency. The greens have been seeded with Pure Distinction bentgrass and surrounds sprigged with Santa Ana bermuda. The bunkers now include Capillary Concrete bunker liners. Staples has also expanded tee complexes and overseen tree management and drainage work.

Long-standing golf course superintendent Pat Shannon assisted Staples, his last project before retirement. New superintendent Ben McBride will oversee the grow in.

“I love what Andy has done in terms of how the new green complexes blend seamlessly into their surroundings,” said McBride. “It’s very similar to courses in my native Australia where shortgrass not only plays an integral role in how the course is presented for daily play, but how important it is for the design to match the maintenance regime. I can tell you this will be a pretty unique look for this area.”

Contractor Heritage Links handled construction, while Kimley-Horn engineer Paul Klukas managed the permits required by San Diego County, and Brent Harvey was responsible for irrigation design.

“I’m really proud of what we were able to accomplish here,” said Staples. “These improvements will instil more interest and drama for every level of player. I intend for San Vicente Golf Resort to be standout golf experience worthy of play again and again.”

A grand reopening of the course is expected in April.

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Slideshow HTML
  • San Vicente
    Michael Gainey, PGA

    The par-five fourth hole at the renovated San Vicente Golf Resort in California

  • San Vicente
    Michael Gainey, PGA

    Andy Staples has renovated all greens and has seeded them with Pure Distinction bentgrass (pictured, the par-three eighth)

  • San Vicente
    Michael Gainey, PGA

    All bunkers have been renovated and now include bunker lining from Capillary Concrete

  • San Vicente
    Michael Gainey, PGA

    The course is open for preview play with a grand reopening tentatively set for April

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Michael Gainey, PGA
Richard Humphreys

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