Every golf course has hazards, and so too will the new 18-hole NCGA member course at Poppy Ridge Golf Course in Livermore.
So what is happening in regards to bunkers on what will be the new 18-hole course?
Recently, architect Jay Blasi stopped by to provide an update.
As Blasi explained, the bunkers are being lined with capillary concrete, which will not only help with drainage, but also protect the bunkers from burrowing animals such as squirrels and gophers.
The capillary concrete is basically a gravely-type mix that lays across the bottom of each bunker.
“There’s a lot of work that goes into making a hazard,” Blasi said. “Nowadays, when you build a bunker there are a lot of different liners. This particular liner is what we deemed best for this property.”
Blasi's previous work includes U.S. Open venue Chambers Bay in Washington and the recently renovated Golden Gate Park Golf Course in San Francisco.
The Poppy Ridge plan includes the creation of a new 18-hole course, a new nine-hole course and various improvements to the practice areas including the driving range. The new practice areas and driving range are open, along with a nine-hole course. The renovation project is anticipated to be completed in mid-2025.
The Poppy Ridge project was initiated when it became mandatory to replace the course’s aging irrigation system, which was installed upon its original opening.
As for the turf, the new 18-hole course will feature three different types of grasses.
The tees, fairways and green surrounds will all be Santa Ana Bermuda grass. The greens complexes have been seeded with a new variety of Bentgrass and a hydro-seeded Fescue mix is featured in the out-of-play areas.
The original Poppy Ridge site, which opened in 1996, consisted of three separate Nine-hole segments—the Chardonnay, Merlot, and Zinfandel layouts.
In 2014, the NCGA performed a full renovation of Poppy Hills Golf Course in Pebble Beach to rave reviews.
