Troon Country Club in Scottsdale, Arizona, has started a $4.6 million golf course renovation, which is being overseen by Tom Weiskopf and design consultant Phil Smith.

“This renovation project is the culmination of over two years of work by our board, committees and consultants,” said Garrett Wallace, general manager at Troon Country Club. “We are excited that it is now under way. And, despite the unprecedented circumstances surrounding the current Covid-19 crisis, the club expanded the scope of the project to touch every aspect of the course.”

Troon was Weiskopf’s first design, and the beginning of his collaboration with Jay Morrish. The course opened in 1986, and took its name from the famous Scottish layout where Weiskopf won the 1973 Open Championship.

Contractor Heritage Links began construction work on the golf course on 20 April. All greens will be resurfaced with A4 bentgrass, all tees will be levelled, and several new forward tees added. Tee boxes, fairways and rough will be re-grassed with TifWay 419 bermuda.

Some bunkers will be removed, while others will be modified, reshaped and rebuilt incorporating a new drainage and liner system featuring Capillary Concrete. The new hazards will be filled with Caltega sand.

Weiskopf and Smith are also making design modifications to enhance playability, accentuate sight lines and assist in course maintenance.

The irrigation system will be updated, including new piping, new Rain Bird IC system sprinkler heads with central control, and a new Watertronics pump station.

All irrigation system, bunker and regrassing work will be complete by early August, with the entire project expected to be completed by 1 December 2020.

“With the support of our members and Tom Weiskopf’s continued vision, we believe this project will once again place the course among the elite courses in the world,” said Wallace.