A renovation project led by Fry/Straka Global Golf Course Design has helped a municipal golf course in California become more environmentally and economically sustainable.

Located in City of Thousand Oaks, the Los Robles Greens course has had more than 30 acres of turf removed as part of the recent work. This means less fertiliser will need to be used on the course, as well as fewer pesticides and fossil fuels.

The existing irrigation system has also been redesigned. This is enabling more efficient watering on the turf that remains on the course, as well as less overall water use. In fact, it has been projected that an annual reduction of 20 to 25 per cent less water will be achieved across the course going forward.

Los Robles Greens is managed by Arcis Golf, who worked with a team from Fry/Straka to help carry out the work. This included the widening of the course’s fairways, changes to the bunkering to create a more ‘natural’ look, and the removal of certain water features.

Around 40 acres of the course has been converted into native areas, which have been planted with 35,000 selected California Native and drought resistant vegetation.

“The renovation of Los Robles Greens was very bold,” said Ed Easley, senior vice president, of construction at Arcis Golf. “We achieved the city’s goal and direction to transform the golf course into one that will require far less inputs of water, fertiliser, pesticides and fossil fuels, yet remain a thoroughly enjoyable and challenging layout.”

Fry/Straka and Arcis Golf worked with a number of partners for the project, including Brodersen and Associates, who led the work on the landscaping elements, and American Landscape, who carried out the construction.

Joel Price, Mayor of Thousand Oaks, added: “The City is thrilled to work with industry leaders on a redesigned and truly sustainable golf course that will protect and enhance the environment while better meeting the expectations of modern golfers.”