The all-new 18-hole layout at Poppy Ridge Golf Course is literally a sight to behold.
Architect Jay Blasi, utilizing a perfect blend of precision and artistic creativity, has truly designed a memorable layout that will challenge the best players while also being enjoyable to all.
So, are there any tips for players in regards to strategies in playing the new course?
Like any layout, the answer is yes. So for both championship players and social golfers, we asked the architect Jay Blasi to talk about some of the decision-making and strategies (as well as fun) that players will encounter on their way around the new course.
As noted by Blasi, whose previous work includes the recently highly acclaimed renovation at Golden Gate Park Golf Course in San Francisco and being a design associate for U.S. Open venue Chambers Bay in Washington, there are also two key areas of the course where strategy will play a huge role---the greens and areas of the fairway adjacent to the greens.
What would be your tips for players heading out to play the course for the first time?
I would encourage everyone to study the areas around the greens. More often than not, there is a risky side and a safe side. Oftentimes there may be a sideboard or kicker slope that will help your ball feed down onto the green or towards the hole. There is a lot of short grass around the greens so players should be able to use any club in their bag within 30 yards. For many players the putter might be the best play.
What is something special both former Poppy Ridge players and those new to the course can look forward to?
The golf course has been completely re-imagined on the site of the former course.
It is completely different from the old layout so it’s a new and thrilling experience for all. For first time visitors my hope would be that they are taken by the beauty of the site and the surrounding vistas and that they appreciate how the golf course fits the landscape. For regulars who played Poppy Ridge many times prior to the transformation, my hope would be that they appreciate the newfound walkability, playability and variety of the layout.
How did prevailing wind directions factor into the design of the course?
As with many of the great courses around the work, the wind can be a big factor at Poppy Ridge. Because the prevailing wind is from the southwest, we paid close attention to the winds and made sure there was more room to play when we had a north-south hole that may have a crosswind. Where we have east-west holes we tried to build in lots of flexibility with tee box areas so the tees can be adjusted as needed. We also tried to design the course so that you can experience the wind differently. Our par-3 and par-5 holes play in all four directions so players will have different winds on each. We also tried not to have all of the shorter holes into the wind and all longer holes downwind, so players could experience a variety throughout the round.
