Weed’s firm also updated the celebrated Crescent City layout in 2003
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – Bobby Weed Golf Design has successfully completed a follow-up renovation of New Orleans Country Club, 21 years after the firm’s initial re-design. Weed’s intimate knowledge of the property enabled his team to improve numerous areas, while also enhancing its historic charm.
The par five ninth hole at New Orleans Country Club’s at sunset. (Photo: Larry Lambrecht)
In 2003, Bobby Weed oversaw a comprehensive renovation of New Orleans CC.
In 2005 following Hurricane Katrina, Weed oversaw recovery assistance. The golf course was utilized as a base camp following the powerful storm as the direct result of 15-plus miles of drainage pipe that was designed and installed by Weed two years prior.
The firm has continued to closely consult with the club over the years.
“Spearheaded by the Board of Directors and Bobby Crifasi, general manager of New Orleans CC, the membership has graciously entrusted us for over two decades to integrate new features that advance strategic options and improve playability, all while respecting the club’s rich heritage,” said golf course architect, Bobby Weed. “This refined layout delivers a clean, stately formality. Modern amenities seamlessly blend with timeless appeal.”
The opening hole at New Orleans Country Club is a beautiful par five that measures 611 yards. (Photo: Larry Lambrecht)
Bobby Weed Golf Design, along with Duininck Golf, worked with the club to implement a phased schedule that minimized membership inconvenience while completing construction before hurricane season.
First, the team fast-tracked a practice facilities overhaul in a condensed two-and-a-half-month schedule. Subsequently, the golf course was renovated over the following ten months. This provided members with full access to the driving range, wedge park, short game area and chipping green throughout the duration of the project.
The final scope of the project utilized a three-pronged approach: Design, infrastructure and re-grassing. The following elements were included in Weed’s renovation on this core-routed Crescent City layout:
Design
Design changes throughout the golf course were subtle and intricate, paying homage to the rich history of this classic, parkland style golf course. With narrow corridors highlighted by stately live oaks, efforts were focused to enhance strategy, playability and add challenge where appropriate. Bunkers were re-designed with a modern flare – capes, bays and flashed faces improve sight lines from tees and fairways to emphasize the parkland aesthetic. Select fairway bunkers were shifted, elevated or eliminated. Various greenside bunkers were lowered and enlarged to improve strategy throughout. Expanded short cut areas around the greens and bunkers allow the bunkers to play bigger. The tightly mown turf provides a clean aesthetic for increased shot-options around the greens.
A white egret flies over the par three third hole at sunset. (Photo: Larry Lambrecht)
The cornerstone of the practice area renovation was the design of a ribbon-like target green concept that provides members immediate feedback on shot results. The target locations were framed by bunkers lined with BunkerSolution, adding a distinct visual appeal that closely mimics shots throughout the golf course and allows members to hone-in on distance control.
Additionally, a strategic tree planting program was implemented to beautify and screen the property border. Live oak trees, cypress trees and Podocarpus hedges along boundaries will offer picturesque backdrops for generations to come. Many trees were also trimmed, root-pruned or removed to better expose the expansive vistas and create new sight lines.
Infrastructure
In a region renowned for its drainage challenges, frequent rainfall and heavy clay soils, these items were driving factors for continued drainage improvements. Evidenced by the 6 1/2 feet of rainfall over the course of the project, the team installed over 12,000 linear feet of herringbone drainage. This paid dividends. The project was completed on schedule and on budget.
To complement the subsurface drainage, eight acres were sand-capped including the collars, approaches and around every catch basin on the golf course. A new pump station and two-wire HPDE irrigation system with Toro Infinity heads was also installed. The emphasis on drainage and ability to control the irrigation inputs has instilled firm and fast playing conditions, the foremost request of the membership.
Water and bunkers strategically guard the green on the par three third hole. (Photo: Larry Lambrecht)
Practice area improvements included expanding and sand capping the range tee to maximize utilization and improve turf conditions. Drainage improvements and sand-capping around basins have drastically improved ball-picking capabilities and eliminated frequent range closures following significant rain events.
Re-grassing
The green surfaces were stripped of organic matter, restored and re-grassed with TifEagle bermudagrass. Critical to this process was restoring the greens to their original sizes, recapturing 13% of lost surface area and tweaking slope percentages for improved pin positions. All par 3 tee complexes were enlarged and new forward tees added for increased flexibility. Fairways and roughs were re-grassed wall to wall with TifTuf bermudagrass.
A stately oak tree that has stood the test of time provides an impressive backdrop and natural shade at New Orleans Country Club. (Photo: Larry Lambrecht)
“Bobby Weed was our first call when it became time to update,” noted longtime general manager of New Orleans Country Club, Bobby Crifasi, on behalf of the Board and membership. “Consistent infrastructure advances are imperative to maintaining quality conditions. We appreciate Weed’s team for their decades-long commitment to our club.”
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