Tripp Davis Completes Bunker Renovation and Restoration at Historic Wichita C.C.

(Norman, OK) — Golf course architect Tripp Davis has been working on one of the most storied golf clubs in the country, Wichita Country Club in Wichita, Kansas, and just completed a significant bunker renovation and restoration program.  This project follows his 2014 renovation of all of Wichita’s tees with Latitude 36 Bermuda.

Originally founded in 1900, Wichita Country Club has hosted a number of prominent tournaments over the years including the Western Amateur, The U.S. Women’s Open, and most recently the 2010 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur.  In addition, the membership at Wichita has been actively involved in the game and includes Kansas State Golf Association founder John L. Powell and former USGA President, Judy Bell.  In 1950, the club moved to its present site and invited architect Bill Diddel to design the golf course.  This project came on the heels of Diddel designing the Northwood Club in Dallas, which was awarded the 1952 U.S. Men’s Open.

“Wichita Country Club has a great set of original Diddel greens and a subtly brilliant routing,” stated Davis.  “In redoing the tees and the bunkers, our objective was to work with the greens and routing to enhance the strategic quality of the course.  I could not be more pleased with the way the visual style of the bunkers turned out – very classic.”

The bunker work Davis just completed included renovating and replacing old drainage, the installation of Better Billy Bunker liners, and the use of new blended bunker sand.   In addition, Davis’ restoration of the bunkers gave them a more classic look.  The project was inspired by Bill Diddel’s early work that included restoring some of the original bunkering that was lost, and returning the original strategic intent of the bunkers for the modern game.

“Wichita Country Club is extremely pleased with the work that Tripp Davis, his shaper Jason Gold, and builder Landscapes Unlimited did with the bunker renovation and restoration.  I would have never thought a bunker project could have such a dramatic impact on the way a golf course looks and plays, but this one has,” said Head Golf Professional, Phillip Prude.

For more information about Tripp Davis and Associates, visit www.tdagolf.net or call 405-447-5259.