The Oaks Club has begun the renovation of its Heron Course, a year-long project to create a memorable new golfing experience for members and guests.
This environment friendly renovation project is another step forward for the award-winning private club as they are celebrating Pearl anniversary in 2014.
The golf amenities and social activities have helped make The Oaks Club one of the Gulf Coast’s leading private residential communities for the past 30 years, said, Jeff Hartigan, general manager.
The renovations are designed in such a way that it enhance playability and improve irrigation and drainage of the Heron Course, designed on behalf of Hurdzan/Fry Environmental Golf Design.
The new Heron Course will be 6,705 yards, slightly longer than the current 6,695 yards.
The revamped course will have new contours, better bunkers, interesting greens complexes and a new teeing system that will accommodate all skill levels of players, said, Jason Straka, course architect, Fry/Straka Global Golf Course Design.
Some strategic changes are included like the 6th hole, which will feature a split fairway, and hole #10, which has been designed to be a driveable par 4. Certain unsightly views will be hidden like the practice range while playing the 18th hole.
As part of the soil and water conservation features to be incorporated into the project, the old soil from the greens will be reused to build the new tees, and the concrete from the existing cart paths will be crushed and reused as a base for the new path. The new greens will be constructed to meet the USGA recommended construction method for putting green construction.
The Oaks Club is a private country club community developed on more than 1,000 acres situated on the east and west sides of U.S. 41 in Osprey, Florida.
It was recently awarded the prestigious Distinguished Gold Club of the World award, a program conducted by BoardRoom magazine, one of the most respected trade publications serving private clubs.