The first phase of an expansion project at Bunker Hills Golf Course, Coon Rapids, Minnesota, will begin as soon as possible, following the ordering of bids by the city council.

Last week the council approved grading, trail, landscaping and turf restoration plans, as well as the construction of a new driving range, practice green and short-game area.

A meeting on 16 April will see the council consider a contract award, and work will begin immediately.

The design of the driving range, practice green and short-game area have been designed by Kevin Norby of Herfort Norby Golf Course Architects, whose recent projects include Sunbird Golf Club in Arizona, The Preserve on Lake Rathbun in Iowa, and the Grand National Golf and Casino in Minnesota.

The expansion of the driving range will ease user congestion, as the original range was designed for an 18-hole course, rather than the 36-holes currently in use.

Bunker Hills’ pro and manager Tim Anderson has stated that all of the work, bar the short-game area, needs to be completed by 1 June, in time for the Minnesota State High School League golf tournament. The short-game area, designed to allow practice of bunker shots, chips and wedges to three target greens, is scheduled to be completed by mid-July.