Bigwood Golf Course Renovations

A reimagined course, true to the original.

The course originally opened in 1971, designed by Robert Muir Graves. In fall 2024, David Druzisky led a major renovation. Here's what changed.

At the core of the work, the goal was to improve upon the character and styling to establish a strong new and unique look, more in keeping with the native character of the area. The edges of the course now transition to a more natural unmaintained condition thus lessening the overall footprint appearance on the property. This allows maintenance resources to remain focused on the primary areas of play while areas beyond are allowed to naturalize with purpose and intent. The amount of green to the turf will ebb and flow with the season.

Greens

Greens structure, surfaces & surrounds

Each green and its surrounding area were fully renovated to improve performance, playability, and drainage. Old surfaces were stripped and tilled to relieve years of compaction, then rebuilt with sand to enhance air and water movement through the soil. Contours were refined to improve drainage and create more engaging designs, while upgraded grade tie-ins help move water away from the greens. New T1 Bentgrass provides a resilient, high-quality putting surface that performs consistently throughout the season.

Bunkers

Bunker renovation & redesign

The course bunkering has been reimagined with a new look and character introduced that is more in keeping with the native look of the area. This style allows maintenance to be lessened as a natural "wooly" look is adopted. With bunker sand distribution maintained, and the south facing grass faces watered when hot and dry, the bunkers should evolve into signature elements of the course.

Given the state of deterioration, all the bunkers were rebuilt to improved current standards. Some remain in their previous location while others have been relocated. A few unnecessary bunkers have been removed with a few new bunkers strategically added. Bunkers now have new sub-drainage and turf liners within the sub-grade to help slow the contamination by dirt and rocks from below over time. Each bunker was filled with high-quality fine Idaho golf sand for consistent play.

Irrigation

Irrigation system replacement

The full irrigation system on the course has been replaced. The new system ensures efficient water use, promoting healthy turf while minimizing environmental impact. Additionally, improvements were made at the source point in the Big Wood River ensuring the ponds are filled and correct water allotment.

Maintenance

New maintained & mowed turf limits

Mowed turf areas have been streamlined and aligned with improved irrigation coverage for healthier, more efficient conditions. The course will primarily use one consistent height of cut throughout (with a separate height for greens) to create a clean, uniform look and simplify maintenance. If resources allow, a transitional intermediate cut may be added along select edges for definition.

Layout

Additional design enhancements

Holes were re-numbered with the finishing hole now ending at the clubhouse.
Improved landing area in the middle of hole 1 (former #7).
Ponds enhanced and extended into a stronger position in the approach to 3 green (formerly #9).
Hole 6 (former #3) now relates properly to the ponds on the inside of the hole.
Repositioned green for the new 9th hole (formerly #6) with a fun design and dramatic bunkering at the green.
New practice putting green at the clubhouse.
Enhancements at the practice range based on a new artificial turf tee and putting green.

See it for yourself.

Book a round, hit the range, or take a lesson on the renovated course.

Book Tee Time Explore the course