Raymond Hearn Golf Course Design has expanded its global portfolio of projects with a recently completed project at Golf de Club de Panama in Panama City, Panama.

The firm was hired by the club to find a solution to the problem it faced when Panama’s rainy season hit. Due to the site’s heavy clay soils and limited drainage, the course would often become unplayable during this time.

The club also struggled to bring in new players, as the driving range facility was poor, the par three course was sub-standard, and the course didn’t have any tees that would accommodate beginner play.

Raymond Hearn Golf Course Design was brought in to develop a masterplan for the course and ultimately enhance the quality of the club’s golf offering.

The plan included sand capping fairways and rough, while also adding new drainage. This new drainage system takes water back to ponds and the irrigation reservoir on the course.

The firm also remodelled the club’s driving range, renovated the par three course, and introduced a new junior teeing system.

“We could not be prouder of our master planning work for the golf course at this very distinguished golf club which is regarded as one of the top-ranked golf clubs in Panama,” Hearn said. “Our goal was to provide the club with a ‘road map’ into the future in terms of improvements. As with any of my master planning assignment, we focused on making the golf course more strategic and playable for all levels of golfing ability.”

Hearn worked closely with the club’s project engineer Juan Heras to ensure the course would be far more playable year-round, and no longer become unplayable during the rainy season.

“Ray’s master planning gave our club valuable ideas and a direction into the future with respect to our golf course,” said Carlos Sacre, the club’s president. “This was important for all golfers that enjoy our course and its future.”

Hearn’s work at Panama Golf Club was included in the recently-released list of 2017 ASGCA Design Excellence Award recipients – the third time in the past five years a project of Hearn’s has been included.

A special edition of By Design, highlighting the projects included on the list of 2017 ASGCA Design Excellence Award recipients, will be published in February.