Each year, Golf Inc.’s Renovation of the Year competition seeks to identify the world’s best private and public renovated golf venues. This year, the competition recognizes two public course winners and five private course winners.
Greg Norman’s The Norman Signature Course at Vidanta Nuevo in Nayarit, México, took first place for public course renovation. Restoration of the 27-hole circuit, which is adjacent to a river, has also helped prevent flooding in the area. It was completed in February.
“These floods frequently caused extensive damage to the inhabitants of the region,” Norman said. “Since our restoration, these floods have been prevented and communities have been positively impacted.”
Second place went to The Preserve at Eisenhower in Crownsville, Md.
In the private course category, judges selected BraeBurn Country Club in Houston, Texas, as the first place winner. Architect Tripp Davis’ redesign was completed in December 2021, bringing new diversity to how the holes are played.
The other winners in the private club category were Guadalajara Country Club A.C. in Guadalajara, Mexico, second place; and San Luis Obispo Country Club in San Luis Obispo, Calif., third place. Capturing honorable mention were Magnolia Golf Course at The Landings Club in Savannah, Ga., and Santa Rosa Golf & Beach Club in Santa Rosa Beach, Fla.
Judging was based on how well the project realized the vision of the development team, as well as course aesthetics, environmental and economic sustainability, course routing, land use and improved playability. Winners were chosen through blind judging.
Judges were Jason Sloan, director/project manager for Frontier Golf and Golf Course Builders Association of America board member; and Ron Cutlip of Cutlip Golf Design, which focuses on course design, construction and development.
For additional details on the winning courses, check out the full feature in the latest issue of Golf Inc. magazine.
Renovation of the Year Public Course Winners
FIRST PLACE
The Norman Signature Course at Vidanta Nuevo
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Owner: Grupo Vidanta
Architect: Greg Norman
Contractor: Vidanta Construction
“This renovation turned a natural disaster into an opportunity for the golf course to achieve its full potential and shows how problem solving leads to effective design. The commitment to plan, design and undertake such a comprehensive project with so many aspects is commendable.” — Jason Sloan
“The retention water bodies for hydrologic flow control were an important addition to this course ability to improve the golfer play experience while keeping the maintenance cost down.” — Ron Cutlip
SECOND PLACE
The Preserve at Eisenhower
Crownsville, Maryland
Owner: Anne Arundel County
Architect: Andrew Green
Contractor: Wadsworth Golf Construction Co.
Renovation of the Year Private Course Winners
FIRST PLACE
BraeBurn Country Club
Houston, Texas
Owner: Member owned
Architect: Tripp Davis, Trip Davis & Associates
Contractor: GreenScape Methods (GC) – Heritage Links- irrigation
“The common sense approach to tackling the design issues of each hole has led to a complete transformation of the golf course resulting in a coherent sequence of holes that, from a design standpoint, are both simplified and more strategic.” — Jason Sloan
“Grassing this golf course along with the redesign shaping transformed this 1931 course into a modern gem, giving the golfer an awesome playing experience.” — Ron Cutlip
SECOND PLACE
Guadalajara Country Club A.C.
Guadalajara, Mexico
Owner: Members
Architect: Alarcon Morrish Golf Course Design
Contractor: Roca Golf International
THIRD PLACE
San Luis Obispo Country Club
San Luis Obispo, California
Owner: Members
Architect: Todd Eckenrode of Origins Golf Design
Contractor: Landscapes Unlimited
HONORABLE MENTION
Magnolia Golf Course at The Landings Club
Savannah, Georgia
Owner: Members
Architect: Arnold Palmer Design Co.
Contractor: Todd Godwin Construction
Santa Rosa Golf & Beach Club
Santa Rosa Beach, Florida
Owner: Members
Architect: Bergin Golf Designs
Contractor: Medalist Golf