River Place Country Club is upgrading its golf course with $750,000 worth of new greens and bunker improvements, this on the heels of a $2 million clubhouse renovation which included the new 19th Hole bar.
“We are ecstatic about the response from the community and our members to our recent clubhouse renovations. It is the enthusiasm and support of our members which enabled us to make the commitment to this upgrade to our golf course,” said Steven Held, CEO and president of the Dominion Golf Group, owners and operators of RPCC.
Austin’s own Tom Kite, current Champions Tour professional and World Golf Hall of Fame member, designed the course with help from renown local golf course architect, Roy Bechtol. Both Kite and Bechtol recently visited the course and have been consulted on upcoming improvements.
“Having new greens and bunkers to complement the great conditions of our fairways, and our fun, scenic layout, will help make River Place the club that Tom Kite and Roy Bechtol always envisioned,” Held said.
RPCC is replacing the turf on all 20 greens including 18 on-course greens and two practice greens, with the ultra-dwarf hybrid, TifEagle. It will also expand the size of each green.
In addition, the club will be rebuilding all the sand bunkers on the course. While some sand bunkers will be converted to grass bunkers to add to the enjoyment of the course, the majority of the bunkers will feature the same best-in-class sand used at other Dominion properties including Twin Creeks Country Club, Lantana Golf Club in Dallas and the Dominion Country Club in San Antonio.
The new bunkers will include necessary drainage work and new state-of-the art liners to prevent future contamination of the bunkers.
“By increasing overall green size by more than 20 percent, modifying some bunkers to make their contours softer, and making other bunkers more shallow, we will be able to keep the integrity of the course while making it even more enjoyable for golfers of all levels.” said Held.
“Our realistic goal is to have the course reopened in early September,” said Brad Roumaya, RPCC general manager.
During construction, which will require a 60 day grow-in period for the new greens, River Place golf members will be provided with full member access for tee times at all of the Dominion Golf Group’s sister properties.
Improvements are also being made to the driving range. While these will be phased, allowing the range to remain open throughout the summer, the initial change will be an upgrade to the hitting area, along with the reconstruction of the practice green and bunker.
Additionally, RPCC has added John Sosa, a full-time director of instruction at the club. Sosa previously taught at Grey Rock Golf Club in Circle C since 2003, and has a special interest in working with junior golfers who are interested in tournament golf and developing their games with the goal of earning college scholarships and potentially competing at the professional level. Numerous clinics and camps are being offered throughout the summer.
While undergoing renovations, RPCC will still be offering golf instruction from Chris de Keratry, director of golf.
“With our new fitness center, dining areas, and (the recent) opening of our 19th Hole, we have seen a surge in both membership numbers, and more importantly usage – River Place is now the place to be,” said Roumaya.