VERNON - It#'s one thing to host a PGA Tour event. It's another to be its permanent home.
Atunyote Golf Club aced the former last July, as it successfully filled in as host for the B.C. Open. Now, the team at Atunyote is taking aim at the latter, and they#'re starting with a makeover.
In an effort to ensure tougher course play at the inaugural Turning Stone Resort Championship, which will be played Sept. 20-23, major changes have been made to the course.
Some of the alterations include:
#€ Lengthening the course by 160 yards.
#€ Narrowing eight fairways.
#€ Converting collection areas to rough around the greens.
#€ Adding six 50-foot Magnolia trees and 39 Blue Spruces.
#€ Adding water features to enhance three holes.
The overall layout of the course remains the same, but the alterations, whether major or minor, should provide more of a challenge for PGA Tour players.
“Our purpose for lengthening the course is not for distance but for strategic shots,” Director of Golf Operations Rob Harper said. “We're making them think a lot more this year.”
The brainstorming process for course changes began immediately following last year's B.C. Open. PGA officials, as well as Atunyote architect Tom Fazio, toured the grounds and determined where enhancements had to be made.
“We walked the course and talked about ways to toughen it up,” Atunyote superintendent Matt Falvo said. “We got a lot of feedback from the B.C. Open and we listened to a lot of suggestions.”
The lengthening of tee boxes may prove to be the most dramatic change to the course. Adding 20 yards to the tees may not seem like much, but the added difference brings more bunkers into play.
“The course is in tournament condition right now,” Falvo said. “But you can always make it tougher for the pros, whether it's by extending a tee 30 yards or by planting a Sugar Maple just off the fairway.”
Atunyote will also play tougher in September than it did last year in July.
“You're not going to have the hard, fast summer conditions,” Harper said. “In the fall, the course will soften up. You're not going to get the carry on your drives. It will definitely change the characteristic of the course.”
While the player response was positive following the B.C. Open, Harper and Falvo are determined to further impress the PGA Tour. The Turning Stone Resort Championship is their opportunity to further impress and to begin a long tradition.
“The changes weren't set up for a single tournament,” Harper said. “They've been set up for the playability of a six-year run for a Tour event.”
In an effort to ensure tougher course play at the inaugural Turning Stone Resort Championship, which will be played Sept. 20-23, major changes have been made to the course.
Some of the alterations include:
#€ Lengthening the course by 160 yards.
#€ Narrowing eight fairways.
#€ Converting collection areas to rough around the greens.
#€ Adding six 50-foot Magnolia trees and 39 Blue Spruces.
#€ Adding water features to enhance three holes.
The overall layout of the course remains the same, but the alterations, whether major or minor, should provide more of a challenge for PGA Tour players.
“Our purpose for lengthening the course is not for distance but for strategic shots,” Director of Golf Operations Rob Harper said. “We're making them think a lot more this year.”
The brainstorming process for course changes began immediately following last year's B.C. Open. PGA officials, as well as Atunyote architect Tom Fazio, toured the grounds and determined where enhancements had to be made.
“We walked the course and talked about ways to toughen it up,” Atunyote superintendent Matt Falvo said. “We got a lot of feedback from the B.C. Open and we listened to a lot of suggestions.”
The lengthening of tee boxes may prove to be the most dramatic change to the course. Adding 20 yards to the tees may not seem like much, but the added difference brings more bunkers into play.
“The course is in tournament condition right now,” Falvo said. “But you can always make it tougher for the pros, whether it's by extending a tee 30 yards or by planting a Sugar Maple just off the fairway.”
Atunyote will also play tougher in September than it did last year in July.
“You're not going to have the hard, fast summer conditions,” Harper said. “In the fall, the course will soften up. You're not going to get the carry on your drives. It will definitely change the characteristic of the course.”
While the player response was positive following the B.C. Open, Harper and Falvo are determined to further impress the PGA Tour. The Turning Stone Resort Championship is their opportunity to further impress and to begin a long tradition.
“The changes weren't set up for a single tournament,” Harper said. “They've been set up for the playability of a six-year run for a Tour event.”
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