Since acquiring the club in December of 2010, the team at SunRidge Canyon has been working hard to elevate the golf and lifestyle experience at the club. Lead by General Manager, Jeff Lessig and proprietors, Don and Cindy Misheff, a host of completed projects are already bearing fruit, while others are in the works.
Completed Improvements
Irrigation Control System
A new irrigation control system was installed to more efficiently and effectively manage water resources and improve turf conditions. Plus, countless “weeping” sprinkler heads were replaced.
Maintenance Fleet
The entire maintenance fleet was replaced with new equipment.
Jim McLean Performance Center
In the summer of ’12, the practice facility was dramatically upgraded with the construction of a 1,600 sq. ft. performance center that houses the Jim McLean Golf School, which opened at SunRidge Canyon in ‘11. The air conditioned facility features indoor/outdoor hitting bays for instruction and club-fitting. Jim McLean has long been recognized as one of the top golf instructors in the world, named 1994 PGA Teacher of The Year, and currently ranked No.3 by Golf Digest, among many other distinctions.
Other Practice Facility Improvements
During construction of the performance center, the surrounding practice facility was also improved by expanding the available tee space by more than 50 percent, leveling the tees, adding practice bunkers and improving the landing areas and target greens.
Hot Stix Golf
The new performance center is home to Hot Stix Golf, an industry leader in custom club fitting.
Method Athlete
To address the physical fitness side of game improvement, Method Athlete now offers its golf-specific training program at SunRidge Canyon.
Players Pit
Dubbed the Players Pit, this area of the clubhouse patio is now a casual gathering place overlooking the golf course that features a fire pit, old-school rocking chairs and outdoor bar with HD TVs.
New Chef
A new executive chef was hired to upgrade food and beverage operation
Key Relationships
Friend and partner in SunRidge Canyon Golf Club, Gary McCord brings a breath of fresh air to the club along with notoriety and participation in special events and other club activities. As already mentioned, Jim McLean, Hot Stix Golf and Method Athlete also set up shop at SunRidge Canyon.
Summer of ‘13 Improvements
Many additional improvements are scheduled for the upcoming summer of ’13. In order to complete these projects, SunRidge will close the golf course from July 1 through October 4. The improvements that result from this short-term sacrifice are consistent with management’s commitment to elevate the golf experience at SunRidge by providing optimum turf and playing conditions.
Deep-Tine Aerification
The golf course is irrigated with reclaimed effluent water that is very high in sodium. Over time, the salt builds up in the soil and must be removed through deep-tine aerification. This process will be done to all the greens and a significant portion of the course through the green. By removing large plugs of soil and substituting a combination of ceramics and sand, the soil quality will improve significantly creating much better growing conditions for both the Tifdwarf and 419 bermudagrass as well as the winter overseed of Poa Trivialis and ryegrass.
New Tee Construction
During the closure, new tees will be built on selected holes: Nos. 4 and 14 for certain and perhaps also on holes 1, 3 and 7.
Tee Leveling
Although many of the most problematic tees have already been fixed, all other tees will be leveled.
De-vegetation
An ongoing project, the removal of overgrown vegetation is a priority and will kick into high gear during the ’13 summer closure. The purpose is to open up hampered sight lines, make the course feel more open and provide golfers with a better chance to recover after errant shots.
Bunker renovations
The golf course has a few bunkers that serve no useful strategic purpose and others that unnecessarily penalize average players. Two of these are on the 7th hole where one bunker will be eliminated and another reduced in size. Also, it is proposed to add a “saving” bunker and modest berm along the right side of the 3rd green to help prevent errant shots from finding a deep and unplayable ravine.
Widen landing areas. The par-4 2nd hole and the par-5 3rd hole both dogleg slightly to the right. The landing areas on right sides of both holes will be widened by moving the turf line and shaping a small berm to contain shots.
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