The Boulders Resort & Spa Scottsdale recently completed a multi-focused refinement project to further enhance the playability of its iconic North Course, which reopened for play Oct. 13.
During the five-month project, crews restored green surfaces to their original shape and size, and resurfaced them with TifEagle turf, mirroring the green surfaces on the Boulders’ South Course — which completed a greens renovation project in 2022.
TifEagle turf is an ultradwarf hybrid grass that offers improved speed, consistency and playability as well as smooth transitions during seasonal weather changes. TifEagle does not require overseeding, which traditionally takes place in October in Arizona, further supporting the region’s water stewardship efforts.
The Boulders Resort & Spa Scottsdale’s North Course.
(Photo: Troon)
In addition to the greens renovation, the project included improvements to all tee boxes, laser leveling and resurfacing tee boxes across the North Course, and all tee boxes on the par-4 and par-5 holes of the South Course.
“This further illustrates our commitment to offering the very best golf course experience for our guests and members,” said John Maskovich, Boulders’ general manager. “With the completion of this project and our exceptional team of golf course professionals, it is our hope to continue to earn high marks in the golf industry.”
Originally designed by golf course architect Jay Morrish and open for play since 1985, the North Course is known for its rugged beauty and dramatic desert panoramas. This summer’s enhancement projects were overseen by golf course architect Art Schaupeter, who has 30-plus years of experience designing, developing and renovating golf courses across the country.
The North Course enhancement project comes three years after the Boulders executed bunker renovation projects on both courses, installed new pump stations, renovated the South Course’s greens and resurfaced the practice putting green.
THE SOCIAL ASPECT
The 7th now plays from a fresh angle and at a whole new range of lengths – anywhere from 152 to just 77 yards.
Once a 177-yard test, it’s now a true short par 3 for members. pic.twitter.com/t1C44lWNlm
— Royal Birkdale Golf Club (@royalbirkdale) October 21, 2025
CALUSA READIES FOR UNVEILING
Calusa Country Club in Lakeland Ranch, Florida, will unveil a 12-hole golf course this winter. Designed by Gordon Lewis, the new course will take a unique spin on the standard course model, offering a mix of par-3, 4 and 5 holes while providing a quicker alternative to a full 18-hole round.
Calusa is a Lennar Homes master-planned community, and part of the award-winning Lakewood Ranch area in southwest Florida.
Calusa opened its new 18-hole championship course, also designed by Lewis, to public play on Feb. 1, 2025. The par-72, 7,400-yard layout features TifEagle greens, Bimini grass fairways and beautiful white sand bunkers with water in play on all 18 holes.
The new 12-hole course will play to a par of 48 and can play as long as 4,895 yards. Calusa’s growing list of golf amenities includes a nearly one-acre practice putting course with an adjacent snack bar, fire pit and seating area; an aqua driving range; a short game practice area; and a golf simulator in the clubhouse. The social golf concept of the 12-hole course, large putting course and simulator are geared toward making golf fun and accessible for people of all ages and abilities.
“The 12-hole course at Calusa has two of my favorite holes of all time,” said Lewis. “Number 2 is a ‘Cape’ hole, which means bite off what you dare on the drive. It’s always been one of my favorite shots. I played one on my granddad’s home course a few times every summer — it just really makes you think and isn’t that what golf is all about?
“And then there is number 8. It’s a little cutie. With a tee that is 200 feet wide, golfers will have a different angle of attack every day they play. Plus, it’s one of those tough little, short ‘touch’ shots to a shallow green. I know golfers are going to enjoy this fun, quick-to-play journey as much as we loved building it.”
A CHAMELEON OF A HOLE
Architect Kristine Kerr, principal of New Zealand-based Kura Golf Course Design, is redesigning the third hole at Omaha Beach Golf Club on New Zealand’s North Island.
The hole comprises the last phase of an eight-year renovation, all under Kerr’s auspices. Currently a par-3 hole, the third will morph into a flexible chameleon that can play as a par 3, a par 4 or a par 5.
“The new design will include a main par-5 green, as well as a secondary green about 150 meters (165 yards) short of the total length of the hole off to the right-hand side of the fairway,” Kerr told GolfCourseArchitecture.net. “There will also be a secondary teeing ground in line with this, off to the left-hand side. All this will allow the hole to be played as a par 5 (hole 3), a par 4 (hole 3A), and a par 3 (hole 3B), enabling golfers to play the course as a full 18-hole layout, even when one of our other holes is closed for maintenance, which is an important step for flexibility and member experience.”
Enhanced playability was the aim for this novel solution.
“It provides an extra shot without drastically increasing the distance,” Kerr said. “Many hazards like bunkers and carries are intentionally positioned to challenge lower-handicap players, while giving the majority of golfers a fairer line of play.”
In total, Kerr remodeled holes one through three and 13 through 18, along with reimagining the practice areas.
“Beyond attracting and retaining members, the new holes provide added benefits such as safer playing zones on our narrow course and improved water run-off for better playing surfaces,” Kerr said. “Together, these improvements strengthen sustainability and help future-proof the club for the next 50 years.”
