WINDEMERE, Fla. - Architect Steve Smyers is undertaking the renovation of Isleworth Golf and Country Club here. If, for some reason, he should decide he needs a player’s input on the project, he won’t have far to look. Isleworth is the home course of Tiger Woods, Mark O’Meara, John Cook and a number of other PGA Tour players.
Smyers said he is taking “a whole fresh look” at the onetime citrus grove that became the cornerstone of a golf community in 1986.
Smyers said he is not intimidated by the proximity of so many PGA Tour players.
“Whenever and wherever we build, we design so whoever plays it will become a better player,” Smyers said. “We focus on keeping everyone, across the board, in mind. But we emphasize challenging their shot-making ability and stimulating their thought process.”
The project is a major undertaking in more ways than one, Smyers said.
“This is a massive facelift not only aesthetically but from a shot-making perspective,” he said.
This is Smyers’ second renovation at Isleworth, which will reopen in November. Ten years ago, he redid all 18 greens and surrounds and converted the putting surfaces from bentgrass to bermudagrass.
This time around, he will focus mainly on the turfgrass and irrigation system. Crews from 2002 Golf Course News Large Builder of the Year Quality Grassing & Services Inc. of Lithia will convert the course’s existing bermudagrass putting surfaces from Tifdwarf to Tifeagle, and the fairways, tees and surrounds from Tifway 2 to 419 bermudagrass.
In addition, Smyers will also add strategic fairway bunkers and lengthen the course by rebuilding 14 greens and re-contouring fairways.
As part of the renovation project, Isleworth is adding a 10,000-square-foot extension to its clubhouse and improving its maintenance complex.
Smyers said he is taking “a whole fresh look” at the onetime citrus grove that became the cornerstone of a golf community in 1986.
Smyers said he is not intimidated by the proximity of so many PGA Tour players.
“Whenever and wherever we build, we design so whoever plays it will become a better player,” Smyers said. “We focus on keeping everyone, across the board, in mind. But we emphasize challenging their shot-making ability and stimulating their thought process.”
The project is a major undertaking in more ways than one, Smyers said.
“This is a massive facelift not only aesthetically but from a shot-making perspective,” he said.
This is Smyers’ second renovation at Isleworth, which will reopen in November. Ten years ago, he redid all 18 greens and surrounds and converted the putting surfaces from bentgrass to bermudagrass.
This time around, he will focus mainly on the turfgrass and irrigation system. Crews from 2002 Golf Course News Large Builder of the Year Quality Grassing & Services Inc. of Lithia will convert the course’s existing bermudagrass putting surfaces from Tifdwarf to Tifeagle, and the fairways, tees and surrounds from Tifway 2 to 419 bermudagrass.
In addition, Smyers will also add strategic fairway bunkers and lengthen the course by rebuilding 14 greens and re-contouring fairways.
As part of the renovation project, Isleworth is adding a 10,000-square-foot extension to its clubhouse and improving its maintenance complex.
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