Reduction in number and size of bunkers restores design intent, improves playability and lowers maintenance costs at Denver-area course
DENVER – Dye Designs Group (DDG), proud contributor to the Dye family’s golf course architecture legacy for more than 30 years, has completed a significant renovation of all fairway and greenside bunkers at The Club at Inverness in Englewood, Colorado.
The 10-week project was led by Cynthia Dye McGarey, principal architect for DDG and her son, Matt McGarey, the Denver-based firm’s senior design associate.
“The bunkers at The Club at Inverness were desperately in need of a renovation,” said Cythina Dye McGarey, a member of the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA) since 2012. “Over the years, buildup from sand splash had become a significant issue with essentially all of them, while some had expanded to such a degree that they’d crept into the tree line. Many also had edges that were eroding and contaminating the little amount of sand that remained.”
Structural soundness, aesthetics, sand quality and design intent were assessed for all 73 bunkers on the 18-hole, Press Maxwell design that opened in 1974. This review led to many being significantly reduced in size. Another eight were eliminated all together. The 65 that remained were upgraded with the addition of new sand and installation of the Better Billy Bunker system.
“One of our primary objectives was to re-establish the design intent of each bunker as efficiently as possible,” said Matt McGarey, who was onsite daily to oversee construction contractor Total Turf Golf Services of Fraser, Colorado. “To do so, we used the extra soil that had built up in the front of each as fill. This approach allowed us to avoid any costs associated with the import or export of material from the site.”
The new, smaller greenside bunkers are now properly scaled to their respective putting surfaces. This creates not only a more pleasing visual experience, but also an increase in playable turf area. It also benefits turf conditions, as expanding player access to greens will reduce wear and tear at previous pinch points.
The project is expected to reduce bunker maintenance costs by approximately 50%, while greatly benefiting club members through re-established shot values and overall playability.
“Initial feedback from our membership on the bunker renovation has been extremely positive,” said Dave Steinmetz, director of golf at The Club at Inverness. “Cynthia, Matt and the entire Dye Designs Group team were a pleasure to work with. They’re true experts and we look forward to potential future opportunities to work with them on further improving the golf experience at Inverness.”
For more information about DDG’s design portfolio and current projects, please visit dyedesignsgroup.com.
