Fry/Straka studies classics for renovation at Valencia

Below are excerpts from an article that originally appeared in Golf Course Architecture.

The golf course at Valencia Country Club in Santa Clarita, California, has reopened following a seven-month renovation by Fry/Straka.

The private course, located north of Los Angeles, was originally designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr and opened in 1965.

The purpose of this year;s project, led by Jason Straka, was to restore Jones’s original design intent and classic features and enhance strategic options, while turf replacement, on all areas except greens, has reduced irrigation needs by 30 per cent.

Prior to the renovation, Straka, the agronomy team, Arcis Construction and course superintendent Eric Ullrich visited the historic layouts at San Francisco, Lake Merced, Cal Club, Bel-Air and Riviera to study their bunker styles and design approaches.

“I firmly believe that the more you see and experience, the more ideas you gain,” said Straka. “In the case of Valencia Country Club and how this project turned out, these site visits undoubtedly made an impact. When golfers see the renovated course, they are going to be wowed.”

Click here to read the full article on golfcoursearchitecture.net.