Club Enters 18th Season with New Greens; PGA Professional National Championship on the Horizon
Sunriver Resort’s prestigious Crosswater Club is having a great year – even before the 2012 golf season has begun. The 7,683-yard Robert E. Cupp designed golf course will enter its 18th season Memorial Weekend with 18 newly renovated greens. The much anticipated Grand Re-Opening celebration will comprise a myriad of events, including a May 25 Membership Celebration and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, a May 31 Invitation-only Reception and a June 1 Media Day.
Crosswater’s $500,000 greens renovation project began August 15, 2011 and was completed on October 1, 2011. The process included stripping away the existing turf and organic matter down to the original greens mix, while preserving the original undulation of the greens. T-1 bentgrass was then installed on all 18 greens, plus the putting green, resulting in pure greens that are free of non-desirable grasses, such as poa annua. T-1 bentgrass was chosen for the new putting surfaces for several reasons: its ability to withstand extremely cold temperatures and ice exposure, it’s aggressiveness against poa annua intrusion, and its resiliency to recover from ball marks and foot traffic.
“The resurfacing of the Crosswater greens with pure bentgrass could not have come at a better time. While ice damage and turf loss throughout the high altitude regions of the Northwest has occurred at many courses this past winter, Crosswater’s decision to convert to a superior grass has resulted in a playing surface that will be exceptional right out of the gate,” said USGA Sr. Agronomist, Larry Gilhuly.
The renovation also features a comprehensive improvement to the club’s practice facility, including the addition of target greens on the practice range, a renovated putting green, and improvements to the short game chipping area.
“We are confident this new turf will result in championship-caliber putting surfaces that are attractive to our members, resort guests and tournament players, ensuring that Crosswater remains a Top 100 venue for years to come,” said Crosswater Club Manager Josh Willis.
Home to the 2007-2010 Champions Tour JELD-WEN Tradition, Crosswater has been the recipient of 26 prestigious national awards dating back to 1995, when Golf Digest rated it the “The Best New Resort Course in America” upon opening. Crosswater was recently bestowed the honor of hosting the 2013 PGA Professional National Championship for its third time when the tournament returns to the club next June. All four rounds of the championship will be televised live on Golf Channel. The par-72 heathland style course offers a unique blend of strategy and aesthetics, featuring pristine bentgrass tees and fairways along with a challenging interchange of wetlands, lakes and rivers. The course is also a certified Audubon Sanctuary through the Audubon Society.
