A full 18-hole golf course is open during the project ◆ By Mike Hiles
The Country Club at Soboba Springs is working on an alternate course that will coincide with the Soboba Casino replacement project being built adjacent to the popular golf course. During the redesign of holes 13, 14, 15 and 16, the country club will still have an operational 18-hole golf course.
"To make this 18-hole course possible, we have constructed three alternate greens on the front nine holes," Golf Operations Manager Frank Luchowski, PGA, said. "We will have six alternate designed holes which have been designed by Cary Bickler, who will be doing the redesign on holes 13, 14, 15 and 16."
Bickler did the original redesign of Soboba Springs that debuted in 2006. He has completed more than 100 golf course projects throughout his career. In addition to new course designs, Bickler is one of the nation's foremost experts on golf course renovation, remodel and historic restoration. The Soboba Springs Golf Course Management team of General Manager Ray Shalizi, Luchowski and Golf Course Superintendent Alvaro Fitzsimmons have been involved in all aspects of this project. Fitzsimmons has been the driving force behind the construction for it. "The vision for this was talked about between the three of us," Luchowski said. "We came up with this alternate golf course with help from Mr. Bickler. The concept was formed so that we would still have an 18-hole facility and not have to use just nine holes during the redesign." The management team has made many site visits with contractors and Bickler and also oversaw the redesign of signage for the golf course and score cards. There will be no changes to the driving range but the newly designed course will be a Par 70 with yardage of just over 6,000 yards. "The new course configuration will give all golfers the opportunity to make more pars, birdies and eagles along with a chance to make a few holes-in-one," Luchowski said. "It will be a fun and enjoyable golf course for all skill levels."
