The Northern California Golf Association is planning a complete golf course and clubhouse renovation at its home facility, Poppy Hills in Pebble Beach, and has appointed the design firm of Robert Trent Jones II, which originally built the course in 1986, to handle the work.

NCGA has started the process of seeking permits for the renovation, and expects this to take between one and two years. Once all permissions are in place, and assuming economic conditions are favourable, work will go ahead.

The planned renovation is aimed at making the course unfold more naturally, and will include the straightening of some doglegs, redesign of all the course’s greens, sandcapping fairways to improve drainage and a new irrigation system.

NCGA says a key driving force behind the project is water conservation. The 24-year-old course already uses 100 per cent reclaimed water for irrigation, but the overhaul will further address water consumption by reducing irrigated areas of turf.

“We are excited about the prospect of improving Poppy Hills,” said NCGA CEO Lyn Nelson. “We take pride in our golf course and feel this is a wonderful opportunity to enhance the layout and playing conditions. Providing an unmatched golf experience and value for NCGA members will always be a top priority for the Association and this project seeks to enhance that experience and make our members' course one of the finest in the nation.”