JMP Golf Design Group is to renovate the Palo Alto Hills Golf & Country Club in Palo Alto, California.

The 18-hole course was originally designed by Clark Glasson and overlooks San Francisco Bay.

JMP’s principals Mark Hollinger and Brian Costello are working closely with staff and members at Palo Alto to create a renovation master plan that addresses both the short term and long term needs of the club.

In the immediate future, the club needs to remove diseased Monterey Pines, and continue to reduce irrigation use due to the ongoing drought in the area.

“One cannot help but be inspired by the incredible photographs of the club in the late 50’s and early 60’s,” said Brian Costello. “The restored views of the bay and vistas towards the preserve define the unique and breath-taking personality of the course. The goal is to recapture this character and retain the reputation as one of the pre-eminent courses in the Bay Area.”

The course is located next to the Arastradero Open Space preserve, and JMP’s renovation master plan is set to include changes to help convert the Palo Alto Hills course from a parkland style to a more ‘rustic’ and open character, more in keeping with the nearby open space preserve.

“We are quite honoured to have been selected to work together with the club,” said Mark Hollinger. “The golf club has a rich and storied Bay Area history with the involvement of Ken Venturi as head pro and Walt Disney in the organisation of the club. We have the opportunity to provide guidance for the next 50 years with much needed course improvements to the greens and bunkers.”