January 16, 2023 

The most recent Golf Course Refinements Project conducted at Poppy Hills has been completed with all areas expected to return to play sometime this week. Please keep in mind that a few select areas of the golf course are protected to promote seed germination and health. Summary of the changes are as follow:

Fairway Bunkers

Par-4 12th: The left fairway bunker on hole No. 12 was adjusted and reshaped to provide a wider fairway landing area. The first right fairway bunker on No.12 was also reduced nominally to improve the fairway landing area as well. These subtle changes increase the strategy and shot values presented by the tee shots.

Greens

#1 Green

The back right corner of number 1 green was raised slightly. Additionally, an intermediate cut of grass was incorporated behind the green adjacent to the penalty area. These changes allow better playability for golf balls releasing through the putting surface.

#13 Green

While the design characteristics of 13 green remain substantially the same, the back right corner was reshaped and expanded to provide additional pinnable hole locations and support. The large slope in the middle right portion of the green was reduced to allow the expanded back right corner to blend with the rest of the green.

#14 Green

To increase the playability and number of hole locations available, the back right corner of 14 green was expanded. This change improves the shot value for the approach by providing more opportunity for aggressive play over the bunker to back right pins. In addition, the back-right bunker was reshaped.

#17 Green

A slight change was made to the back right portion of 17 green. Although the majority of the green still slopes away from the par-3 tee shot, the back portion was built up to allow golf balls to stay in play. This increases playability for the everyday player while still maintaining challenge for elite players.

New Tees

#10 Tee: Jones tee enlarged and resodded to provide options during the multiple NCGA Championships hosted at Poppy Hills each year.
#14 Tee: The championship tee enlarged and resodded.
#16 Tee: The Jones tee was extended to allow play up to 460 yards.

In early 2022, other refinements were performed including the re-shaping of the greens on holes Nos. 2 (the green was smoothed out to make it more transitional with less contour) and 7 (similar reduction in contours to improve playability)), a renovation of the primary practice green (near the snack shack) that resulted in less contours with more hole locations and the addition of five new championship tee boxes.

Said original course architect Robert Trent Jones Jr., “I’m very happy with the course. It remains perfect.”

The previous changes were covered in the Winter edition of NCGA Golf Magazine.

 

 

November 15, 2022

The Course Features Refinement Project is officially underway at Poppy Hills. Starting on Thursday, November 3, the back right corner of the green on #12 was stripped and re-shaped with the goal of flattening select contours and expanding the pinnable area. Turf was resodded and is being monitored during the grow-in process. The next putting green resurfacing will take place on the back right corner of #13, with work currently underway. Additional work is also being done to tee boxes on select holes. The Jones tee on hole #10 and hole #16 were expanded to provide additional course setup options.
 
Despite the wet start to November, the crew is working efficiently and we are excited about the progress being made. During the project, the golf course will remain open and playable with all 18 holes available. No temporary greens will be used; however, portions of some greens will be roped off as part of the project. Please avoid the improvement areas on these holes. Refer to the Poppy Hills blog and website for continued updates during the project.
 

 

October 20, 2022

To continually improve the golf experience at Poppy Hills, we will kick off a golf course refinements project on Thursday, November 3. The project will improve the playability of a few greens and make some small adjustments to a pair of fairway bunkers on Hole #12.

During the project, the golf course will remain open and playable with all 18 holes available. No temporary greens will be used; however, portions of some greens will be roped off as part of the project. Please avoid the improvement areas on these features. Refer to the Poppy Hills blog and website for continued updates during the project.