An extensive renovation project is set to take place later this year on the course at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Work is scheduled to commence on 1 August, and will include the rebuilding of tee boxes, bunkers and greens across the course. A completely new green will be developed on the seventh hole.
300 yards will be added to the course’s overall length, with the final hole to be lengthened by a distance of 40 yards.
Architect Gil Hanse has been brought in for the project. Hanse work alongside Russ Myers, the superintendent at Southern Hills, on the project.
The golf course was originally designed by Perry Maxwell and opened in the 1930s. Part of Hanse’s task is to restore more of a Maxwell-feel to the layout.
A new irrigation system will be created, and Southern Hills will also become one of only a few golf courses globally to introduce hydronics tubing to help regulate temperature.
A 3,200 square foot golf performance centre will also be constructed as part of the project.
Southern Hills has hosted the US Open on three occasions, most recently in 2001. The club has also played host to the PGA Championship on four occasions.
The project is set to take around 10 months to complete. While work is ongoing, players at the club will be still be able to play the Coore and Crenshaw-designed West nine at Southern Hills.