Sharon Heights Golf & Country Club in Menlo Park, California, has reopened following a $23 million renovation by Todd Eckenrode – Origins Golf Design.

The club approved the plan, created by the design firm’s principal Todd Eckenrode in 2019, which covers all 18 holes and aimed to make the layout more playable and interesting, improve course aesthetics and conditions, and adhere to the club’s sustainability initiative.

Construction began in April 2023 and has included the renovation of all tees, fairways, bunkers and greens.

“It’s incredibly fun and engaging to play,” said Eckenrode. “The new widths allow strategic elements to be unveiled and variety in play is paramount. We are thrilled to have designed what is essentially a completely new golf course and experience for the members.”

A significant tree management programme has been executed to help improve playing conditions and allow for more sunlight to reach fairways and greens. The programme has also included reforesting native California Oak and Sycamore trees as well as establishing natural meadows and seasonal creeks.

In addition, a new irrigation system has been installed, new drought-tolerant grass has been seeded throughout the course and over 20 acres of turf has been replaced with landscaping to showcase the natural beauty of the course’s setting.

General manager Aaron Grant said: “The new Sharon Heights golf course is truly something special and has already earned rave reviews from our membership and peaked interest from our region. The use of native spaces, seasonal creeks, multiple varieties of grass specifically chosen for our climate, and bunkering worthy of magazine covers, has created a very appealing aesthetic and massively improved playing conditions.”

“These decisions also afford us the ability to dial the course up for competitive play when we have tournaments, making a ‘best of both worlds’ scenario from an operations perspective and member satisfaction. We are delighted with our new golf course and the work that Todd Eckenrode – Origins Golf Design has done for us.”