Renovation work at Los Robles Greens in Thousand Oaks has resulted in a more environmentally pleasing and economically sustainable golf course.
Under the direction of Arcis Golf, the renovation included more than 30 acres of turf grass removal and a redesign of the existing irrigation system. Upon maturity of the new landscaped areas, Los Robles Greens is projected to use 20 to 25 percent less water annually, and the reduction in turf grass also will mean using less fertilizer, pesticides and other formerly mainstream ways to maintain the course.
While inputs to maintain Los Robles Greens will be reduced through turf reduction, the course redesign by Arcis and Fry/Straka Global Course Design enhanced the spirit and playability of the course with wider fairways, fewer water features and the implementation of a more natural style of bunkering that blends into the new environmental landscape setting.
“The city is thrilled to work with industry leaders on a redesigned and sustainable golf course that will protect and enhance the environment while better meeting the expectations of modern golfers,” Thousand Oaks Mayor Joel Price said of the municipally owned facility.
Along with turf removal, close to 40 acres on the grounds was converted to native areas planted with drought-resistant vegetation. During the renovation, new plantings were mulched with product made on-site by recycling more than 10 years’ worth of green waste that had accumulated on property.
“The renovation of Los Robles Greens was very bold,” said Ed Easley, senior vice president of construction at Arcis Golf. “We achieved the city’s goal and direction to transform the golf course into one that will require far less inputs of water, fertilizer, pesticides and fossil fuels, yet remain a thoroughly enjoyable and challenging layout.”
Much of the Los Robles renovation was patterned after the 2011 restoration of Pinehurst No. 2 in North Carolina, the site of several U.S. Opens and other major championships. Members of the Los Robles team visited Pinehurst to gather information from staff there about the intricacies of what the renovation would involve and what project management would entail. The team then applied that information to the work at Los Robles Greens, with the overall project administered by the Metropolitan Water Districts of Southern California and the City of Thousand Oaks.
How golf courses handle the Southland’s drought conditions has been a topic of concern for Craig Kessler, the director of governmental affairs for the Southern California Golf Association. Of primary interest to him in recent years has been working with courses to find solutions to water usage and cost.
Kessler, who has seen many courses in the region undertake turf reduction projects, called the Los Robles renovation one of the most aggressive he’s seen.
“Wilshire Country Club, Oakmont Country Club, El Caballero Country Club have all completed massive turf reductions, but those are private clubs,” Kessler said. “This is a situation where a municipal course took this kind of initiative, and it’s pretty impressive.”
BY THE NUMBERS
6,305: Yardage from the back tees of the par-70 layout
70.1, 124: Course rating and slope from the back tees
190: Length, in yards, on No. 11, the longest par-3 on the course
290: Length, in yards, on No. 9, the shortest par-4 on the course
$33, $44: Cost of weekday and weekend rounds for Thousand Oaks residents
$43, $54: Cost of weekday and weekend rounds for non-residents
