Robert Trent Jones II Developing Master Plan for Improvements to City of Spokane Golf Courses

Construction Kick-off Celebration September 28 at Indian Canyon

(SPOKANE, Wash.) – The City of Spokane has selected Robert Trent Jones II Golf Course Architects (RTJ II) to develop master plans for each of the four city-owned golf courses: Indian Canyon, Creek at Qualchan, Esmeralda, and Downriver. The master plans will help guide facility improvements beyond irrigation needs and provide a roadmap for future refinements.

The first master plan to be developed, for Indian Canyon, will be shared with the public for feedback at a construction kick-off celebration Friday, September 28 at Indian Canyon.

With Spokane’s rich history of municipal golf dating back more than 100 years, the courses have meaningful legacies that are important to build upon. City of Spokane Parks and Recreation selected RTJ II because of the firm’s core design principles of honoring the cultural, geographical and historical aspects of the land. The firm’s experience with and fondness toward municipal golf has been demonstrated at numerous courses where many golfers have learned the game.

"This is an exciting time for golf in Spokane as we make investments in our future,” said Leroy Eadie, Parks and Recreation Director. “I believe Robert Trent Jones II will develop a great vision through master plans for our four golf courses, and we look forward to collaborating with our golfing community on the process.”

RTJ II’s initial focus will be on the modernization of irrigation systems at Indian Canyon Golf Course and Esmeralda Golf Course, with work at Indian Canyon scheduled to begin this fall, and the project at Esmeralda Golf Course to begin in 2019. Downriver and The Creek at Qualchan will see improvements between 2020 and 2022.

“We are taking steps toward refining the golf experience at each course, both in playability and aesthetics” said Bruce Charlton, President/Chief Designer Officer of RTJ II. “Each phase of the improvement projects will be implemented at the respective courses during the next four years.”

RTJ II is widely known as one of the most respected and sought-after firms in the world, selecting only a few choice golf design projects each year. The firm’s impressive portfolio includes more than 280 courses in 40 countries.

During a recent visit to Spokane, Charlton noted that operational teams at each golf course is providing the golfers of Spokane with high-quality playing conditions and services. Moreover, Charlton was impressed with the varied topography and elevation changes at the four city golf courses.

“The public golfers in Spokane are blessed with four quality golf courses right at their fingertips, all at very reasonable prices,” Charlton said. “Each course has its unique set of challenges that players of all skill levels appreciate.”

RTJ II already has made an impressive imprint on golf in the Pacific Northwest, most notably at Chambers Bay along Puget Sound in Tacoma. Host of the 2015 U.S. Open Championship, Chambers Bay is both a world-class public golf links and the key element of an environmentally responsible public works project. Built on the former site of a sand and gravel mine, Chambers Bay anchors a 930-acre reclamation plan developed by Pierce County as an engine for economic development.

“It is an honor to be chosen by the City of Spokane to be part of its public golf legacy,” said Trent Jones, COO for Robert Trent Jones II. “It is important to our firm and to our family to continue the development of the game through public golf, which adds even more meaning to this being our first project in the Spokane area.”

Golfers can follow the progress of facility improvements at SpokaneGolf.org/improve.

For additional information, visit the RTJ II website at www.rtj2.com or contact the firm at +1 650-475-0329 or info@rtj2.com.