Mesa (AZ) Country Club has commenced renovation work on its historic golf course. According to the club, the project is its largest and most extensive investment since the course, designed by William P. “Billy” Bell, opened in 1948.
According to club President Neil Baier, “All the greens will be rebuilt to USGA standards, greenside bunkers will be renovated to improve playability, and we will undergo an exciting redesign of the holes on our ‘upper mesa,’ including the construction of a drivable par 4 that will be one of the most fun holes on the course. Additionally, installing a new irrigation system will ensure significant water reduction usage.”
Scottsdale-based Staples Golf Design is managing the project with assistance from the club’s Superintendent, Sergio Padilla. Other partners include Total Turf Golf Services, Desert Reflections, Evergreen Turf, and West Coast Sand & Gravel.
“The big news item here is the water conservation work related to the irrigation system upgrade, the lake reduction plan, and the low-water-use areas in the out-of-play areas,” said Andy Staples, president of Staples Golf. “But the real stars of the show will be the new greens and bunkers. These improvements will be a complete game changer for the club.”
Mesa Country Club is one of the few parkland courses in the Valley that features stunning mature and towering eucalyptus and pine trees integrated throughout the routing of holes. With a natural “mesa” running through the course, elevation changes put a premium on shotmaking. The par 72, 6900-yard course, however, is eminently walkable. The PGA Tour’s Joel Dahmen is a popular member, as is current PGA Tour Champions player Michael Allen, U.S. Open champion Steve Jones and Pro Football Hall of Famer Brian Urlacher.
Mesa Country Club was one of the first five private city golf clubs in Arizona, along with Phoenix Country Club, Arizona Country Club, Tucson Country Club, and Paradise Valley.
Photo Courtesy of Mesa CC