At a recent meeting, the NCGA Board of Directors approved the multi-year, multi-step process to:
* Redesign and lessen doglegs to help the course unfold more naturally
* Replace and redesign all putting greens
* Sandcap fairways to greatly improve drainage
* Replace irrigation system to better manage water usage
* Renovate the clubhouse including restaurant and restrooms
A driving force behind the renovation of the NCGA members' course is the conservation of water. The 24-year-old course already has an excellent environmental track record through its 100% utilization of reclaimed water for irrigation, but the overhaul further addresses water consumption by reducing irrigated areas of turf.
It is anticipated that it will take 12-24 months to complete permitting for the work. The project will proceed with the Robert Trent Jones Jr. Group once the permit is obtained and given a favorable economic environment.
"We are excited about the prospect of improving Poppy Hills," says NCGA/Poppy Holding CEO Lyn Nelson. "We take pride in our golf course and feel this is a wonderful opportunity to enhance the layout and playing conditions. Providing an unmatched golf experience and value for NCGA members will always be a top priority for the Association and this project seeks to enhance that experience and make our members' course one of the finest in the nation."
Open to the general public, Poppy Hills offers green fees as low as $55 for NCGA members vs. the $200 public rate. The course is also part of the NCGA Foundation's Youth on Course program, where deserving youth can play for as low as $2.
About the Northern California Golf Association
Founded in 1901, the NCGA is the largest regional golf association in the country, with more than 160,000 individuals who belong to more than 1,250 members clubs throughout Northern California and into Nevada.
Among other services, the NCGA provides official handicap indexes, owns and operates two golf courses, Poppy Hills and Poppy Ridge, conducts more than 50 championships annually, publishes NCGA Golf magazine and operates a Foundation to support deserving youth.
About Poppy Hills
Poppy Hills is a challenging course that weaves through the Del Monte Forest. The venue plays host to many prominent tournaments including the PGA Tour's AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am from 1991-2009.
The Robert Trent Jones Jr. design opened in 1986 and is the home course for the NCGA. It was the first course in the United States to be owned and operated by an amateur golf association. The par-72 layout measures 6,857 yards from the black tees with a rating of 74.3/144.
GolfWorld listed the course as 41st on the ranking of the top 50 public courses in its first "Readers' Choice Awards." A 2007 Zagat Survey ranked Poppy Hills the 12th "Most Popular Course" in the U.S, and the layout was named "National Course of the Year" in 2006 by the National Golf Course Owners Association. The golf shop was named as one of the "Top 100 Golf Shops" multiple times by Golf World Business magazine.
Poppy Hills also includes a picturesque grass driving range, chipping, putting and bunker facilities and a video swing analysis system. The course welcomes public play and it is recommended for visitors to join the NCGA to receive nearly a 75% discount off the $200 public green fee.
www.ncga.org www.poppyhillsgolf.com www.poppyridgegolf.com www.ncgafoundation.org
Hilary Heieck | Director of Communications and Marketing
Northern California Golf Association
3200 Lopez Road | Pebble Beach, CA 93953
T 831.625.4653 x230 | F 831.622.0560 | http://www.ncga.org
