Ark Valley News - Construction begins on ‘first-class’ golf course

The Valley Center Recreation Commission's golf course will have seven par-three holes and two par-fours, surrounding a two-acre pond. The retention pond will be the course's primary irrigation source. Work will begin this week on the project. Officials hope to open the driving range in the fall and the rest of the course next spring. The project is being paid for with funds the rec commission has saved over the years for capital improvements.

Construction begins on ‘first-class’ golf course
By Chris Strunk
Last Updated: January 22, 2015

A group of decision-makers, architects and construction crews created the first divots in the first-ever Valley Center golf course Jan. 20.

After using shovels to ceremonially break ground to start construction of the $1.2 million, nine-hole course, several in the group quickly replaced their divots to a smattering of golf claps from the small audience.

"I'm just glad to see it's finally taking shape," said Steve Geddes, director of the Valley Center Recreation Commission. "This is something this community is going to be really proud of."

Construction of the course will start immediately. The facility will be owned by the rec commission and paid for with funds the VCRC has saved over the years for capital improvement projects.

"I believe in Valley Center," said Barry Hager, president of the VCRC board. "I think we're a great community and this just adds to it. It's going to be awesome."

The so-called executive golf course — which was designed by the architect who created Auburn Hills and will be built by the company that constructed Auburn Hills in Wichita, Flint Hills in Andover and Colbert Hills in Manhattan — is expected to be finished by spring 2016.

"It's a nine-hole course, but it's going to be a first-class course, so we're pretty excited about our part in it," said Roger McClellan, president of Wildcat Construction, which will construct the course.

The golf course will have seven par-three holes and two par-fours, with a total distance of 1,800 yards from the back tees, surrounding a two-acre pond. It will include a driving range and practice green. Geddes said the driving range could open by the fall.

Planners hope to have money left to construct a small clubhouse with restroom facilities.

It will be situated on about 15 acres of rec commission land and 15 acres of school district property east of the district football stadium and northeast of the McKay Petrie Sports Complex.

"It's really a blank slate," said golf course architect Taylor Zimbelman. "We had 100 different golf holes out here. We just had to find the nine best ones. … This is going to be a place where not only the citizens of Valley Center will be proud of it and enjoy the facility, but it's going to be a draw for citizens of other communities."

The pond will serve as the primary irrigation source for the golf course. It will collect surface water from a wide area, and a pump will be used to fuel the sprinkler system. Artificial turf will be used on the greens, Geddes said.

Geddes said the pond should have water in it year-round. The fairways will be seeded with grass that doesn't require large amounts of water. In extreme drought situations, the course will have access to city water.

The rec commission is working out fee structures and access policies for the course.

Zimbelman said the course was designed with a wide range of skill levels in mind.

"We're going to build a golf course that's not only enjoyable for beginners, but it's going to have challenge," he said. "We can have some tees that are a little farther back and at different angles."

One of the holes is designed to cross a corner of the pond.

Digging the pond will give construction crews enough dirt to create a variety of elevations throughout the course.

Half of the course is in wide-open space, while the other half is in a wooded area.

"You have to make a course that people want to play, a course that has the right level of challenges," McClellan said.