Opened in 1987, the Renegade course was the first of six Jack Nicklaus Signature Courses to open at the prestigious Desert Mountain golf community – distinguished by the Platinum Clubs of America and ranked in the top 10 of all country clubs in the USA.
The Project
With a master plan was conceptualized in 1986 by Taliesen Associated Architects, a firm founded by the legendary Frank Lloyd Wright, the community was designed to “subtly harmonize with the magnificent natural landscape.”
As part of a complete clubhouse renovation and update, the Renegade’s evolution included a two-sided practice range complete with 5 uniquely-sized, target greens – located 50 to 150 yards from the tee area.
To make it more environmentally friendly (no watering needed) and easier to maintain, the club decided to utilize Tour Greens synthetic grass greens for the project.
The Design
Knowing that these target greens would need to simulate putting greens that look, feel and react like those on the tour, the Tour Greens Phoenix team at AGS was ideally suited for the job.
Working with the architects, the team specified a durable nylon putting green turf with a very fine infill that helps the target greens hold shots similarly to the course’s natural grass greens.
A dark green fringe turf featuring a 1-7/8 pile height was then chosen to contrast the light green putting surface and white turf “sand” bunkers for a truly stunning appearance.
The Construction
The team started by building an extremely solid base of decomposed granite…compacted multiple times to ensure that the greens would have the stability and drainage characteristics needed.
Over this base, the team placed a perforated padding system that would work in conjunction with the turf and infill to provide the realistic feel the club desired.
The greens and “sand traps” were then built to the team's exacting specifications, the infill was applied and all greens were power broomed to achieve the desired reaction.
The Result
With the new driving range, this Signature Club within this exclusive golf community just created one of the top practice facilities in the country.
Its realistic target greens provided the experience that the club’s members wanted while the Tour Greens Phoenix team ensured that the initial quality lasted with periodic power brooming and infill adjustments.
Perhaps, more importantly, the solution proved to be environmentally friendly - one that required no water, no fertilizer, and limited maintenance with gas powered equipment.