Poppy Ridge: The New 18-Hole Course Project
April 24, 2025 / by NCGA Staff
June 13, 2025
Poppy Ridge: The Inside Scoop--Strategy
By Jerry Stewart
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.
May 28, 2025
Poppy Ridge: The Inside Scoop--Architect Jay Blasi Talks THE VISION
Legendary golf course architect Alister MacKenzie’s design philosophy was that a course should be interesting, stimulating, and enjoyable for all levels of players while blending in with the natural landscape.
It’s those tenets that fueled modern-day architect Jay Blasi in the design of the all-new 18-hole course at Poppy Ridge Golf Course.
From Chambers Bay (where he was a design associate under Robert Trent Jones II) that held numerous significant championships, including the U.S. Open and the U.S. Amateur, through to SentryWorld that held the U.S. Senior Open, Blasi’s vision and artistic flair has helped shaped some of the best-known golf courses in the world.
And now he has brought those components to Poppy Ridge.
We recently caught up with Blasi to have him talk about his vision at Poppy Ridge and how he was able to transform and elevate the existing property.
What did you envision when you originally saw the land/canvas that you would be using?
I was very attracted to the property at Poppy Ridge. The land is open and rolling and dotted with oak trees and has a very big scale to it. There is over 200 feet in elevation change and there are long views of the nearby vineyards, ranchland and mountains. Seeing how special the land was, it was my goal to try and craft a golf course that took advantage of the best parts of the property, while matching the scale of the site and ensuring it feels very natural.
How much of your design process revolved around the site being the home course for NCGA members?
From the very first discussion about the course transformation, it was imperative that the new course be a wonderful home for all NCGA members. One that would challenge the best while also being enjoyable for players of all abilities. To me that was one of the exciting and challenging aspects of the project. It isn’t every day that you get the opportunity to work on a facility that is catered to players of all abilities but also capable of challenging the best players via NCGA championships. Designing for all players—be it a beginner or scratch championship player-- was central to every decision we made throughout the process.
Can you describe the design process you utilized to ensure that the course is challenging for the most advanced players while also being fun for players of all abilities?
While challenging the best and being playable for all golfers sounds counterintuitive the reality is that championship golf and everyday golf are two drastically different games. Luckily, what makes a course challenging for the best players is almost the opposite of what makes it challenging for the everyday player. A good example would be an approach shot to a par-4. If a green is surrounded by deep bunkers and rough, that is a scary and challenging sight for everyday golfers. They aren’t good out of bunkers or rough, and executing a lofted shot is tough. On the other hand, that same approach is not that scary or challenging for the best players because they’re capable of executing that shot and recoveries from sand or rough are simple sand wedge shots for them. What is harder for a top player to navigate is a green with fairway around it and some contours that feed the ball one way or another. Then the top players need to think about where they want the ball to land, how they want to get the ball there, what will happen once the ball lands and more. If they miss the green, then they have to decide what type of shot to hit and what club to use--where every club in the bag is an option. That is much harder for a top player because they need to think and execute, but that type of approach and recovery are much more inviting and fun for the everyday golfer.
What excited you the most about the landscape at Poppy Ridge?
I fell in love with the big, bold rolling landscape and the long views at Poppy Ridge. The challenge was to highlight that big, bold landscape but to do so in a way that was playable and more walkable.
What was a challenge in the design process?
There were two real challenges for the project. The first was making the course feel natural when the old golf course had a lot of man-made features (lakes, mounding, bunkers) and we were going to have full-length concrete paths. The second was just the logistics of construction. We needed to erase an old golf course, build the new one and get it done in a matter of months so we could get the grass down in our desired window.
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Update May 27, 2025
Masterfully sculpted by architect Jay Blasi, the new 18-hole championship course blends the NCGA's high standards for conditioning with an exhilarating new playing experience for players of all abilities.
The new 18-hole course, which opens May 31, boasts a uniquely creative layout that caters to golfers of all skill levels. Meticulously crafted greens with subtle undulations, strategically positioned bunkers and six tee options create a course that is both inviting and rewarding--delivering a challenge for even the most seasoned players. Also check out the Ridge 9 and all-new practice areas.
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Update May 1, 2025
The New 18-Hole Course at Poppy Ridge | Walkability
Among the many improvements players will notice when experiencing the all-new Poppy Ridge Golf Couse will be improved walkability.
As part the transformation of the course, and in taking advantage of the natural landscape, the greens are now within easy walking distance of the next teeing area. In a nod to today’s best industry practices, gone too are severe course elevation changes that could be a walking challenge for even the fittest players.
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, making the new course more walkable was a huge factor in the transformation process and effort to create a memorable, and enjoyable experience for all players.
We recently caught up with Blasi to have him talk about the importance of improved walkability in the design of the new course.
One of your goals was to make the course more walkable. How did you achieve that? What went into the design process in that regard?
The old layout of three nine-hole courses was not walkable for most people. There were very long walks between greens and tees and there were lots of steep grade changes that made it difficult especially in the heat of the summer. In order to improve the playability and take advantage of the best features of the site we re-routed the entire golf course. The byproduct of that re-routing is a course with much shorter green-to-tee walks and much smoother transitions across the landscape. If you are a golfer who normally plays from tees around 6,500 yards the walk on the new golf course will be about 2,000 yards shorter with around 400 feet less overall elevation change.
What can players expect when it comes to easier walkability?
The site at Poppy Ridge is big and bold with lots of elevation change. So the walk isn’t one that everyone would call easy, just by the nature of the site. But for those players who love to walk they should find a very compelling journey that is consistent and comparable with walks at other top courses in Northern California such as Pasatiempo, CordeValle and Spyglass Hill.
Update March 21, 2025
Inside Scoop | The Fairways
With each passing day, the grass is coming in more and more at what will be the new 18-hole course at Poppy Ridge Golf Course.
As part of the design of the new course, the tee box areas, fairways and greens-surrounding areas all now feature Santa Ana Bermuda grass.
The Santa Ana Bermuda was the optimum choice due to its outstanding playing conditions, as well as sustainability and the Livermore climate. It is one of the most drought tolerant hybrid Bermuda grasses, and is very tolerant to high traffic. Among the courses using Santa Ana Bermuda are the esteemed Valley Club of Montecito in Montecito and The Preserve Golf Club in Carmel.
As noted by architect Jay 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, the Santa Ana Bermuda was the optimum choice.
"We think the Bermuda will love this climate," Blasi explained. "The Bermuda loves the heat and requires less water."
We recently caught up with Blasi to have him talk about some of the decision-making and technical precision that went behind the design and size of the new course’s fairways.
What kind of turf was used in the fairways and why?
Santa Ana Bermuda is featured on the tees, fairways and green surrounds. Given the climate at Poppy Ridge, including the hot summers, we felt this would be the ideal turf moving forward. Santa Ana Bermuda requires far less water than the old, cool season grasses that previously occupied the site and it offers wonderful playability year-round.
What kind of turf was used on the greens and why?
The greens were seeded with Prestige Bentgrass (a 50/50 blend of Pure Distinction and Pure Select). This newer bentgrass tested really well in the region and is a strain that the agronomy team felt very comfortable with. This bentgrass likes to be maintained tight and that works well with the design of these greens.
In general, how wide are the fairways, and how was that determined (regular play vs. championship play)?
The fairways will vary in width from hole to hole based on the individual setting as well as the length and difficulty of the shots. Given the windy nature of the site and the big elevation changes the fairways are quite wide. Most fairways will range from 40-60 yds in width with certain spots being as wide as 100 yards. We designed the fairways to make them playable for all NCGA members while still being able to “test the best” so the fairways are wider allowing the everyday player to get around, but at the same time they have lots of contour that the best players will need to assess and attack strategically.
What is the benefit of using these types of grass?
We believe the grasses used at Poppy Ridge give us the best chance to present high quality surfaces year-round. The grasses allow us to provide firm and fast conditions which make the course more fun and playable for a wider audience. The Santa Ana Bermuda requires far less water making it a great, sustainable choice that will keep operating costs manageable and in turn keep green fees desirable.
Update March 13, 2025
INSIDE SCOOP | THE BUNKERS
Every golf course has hazards, and so too will the new 18-hole NCGA member course at Poppy Ridge Golf Course in Livermore.
So, what can players look forward to regarding bunkers on the completely reimagined 18-hole course at Poppy Ridge?
The selected bunker liners were based on the NCGA’s commitment to outstanding playing conditions for years to come. While it is more expensive versus traditional bunker designs, this will provide ongoing outstanding bunker conditions.
The bunkers are lined with capillary concrete, which will not only help with drainage, but also protect the bunkers from burrowing animals such as squirrels and gophers. The capillary concrete is basically a gravely-type mix that lays across the bottom of each bunker. Other courses featuring capillary concrete bunkers are 2027 U.S. Open host Pebble Beach Golf Links and 2025 U.S. Amateur host The Olympic Club.
Recently, architect Jay 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, stopped by to give us all some answers.
What kind of sand was used, and what were your thoughts on the shaping?
The bunkers have been shaped so that they fit into the landscape. Given that the site is big and bold with many elevation changes, many of the bunkers sit into a hillside and serve as a transition from one landscape to another. We shaped the bunkers to match the shot being played. So, if the golfer would be hitting a middle or long iron out to the bunker then we might have a lower lip than if it was adjacent to the green where one would use a sand wedge. We utilized a customized blend for the sand that provides playability, drainage and natural color for a beautiful contrast.
What strategy went behind the placement of bunkers in the fairway areas?
The strategy for fairway bunkering is different from hole to hole. In some instances, a bunker has been placed as something to hit over in order to gain an advantage. In other instances, a bunker has been placed as a target to hit towards or as a way to guide players away from certain areas. Finally, some bunkers have been placed to save balls from going into the tall grass or natural areas.
What can players expect with the new bunkering on the course?
Ideally the players will say that the bunkers posed a variety of questions for them to figure out. Hopefully the players will find the bunkers to be strategic, beautiful and appropriately challenging.
Update January 22, 2025
THE IMPORTANCE OF WATER CONSERVATION
When the NCGA renovated Poppy Hills Golf Course in 2013, one of the primary purposes of the project was water conservation.
The result was that, upon re-opening in 2014, Poppy Hills had cut water consumption by reducing the area of irrigated turf from 82 to 62 acres. At the same time, 12 acres of natural areas were added, which also cut water usage.
As one would guess, the NCGA is again focusing on water conservation during the current transformation of its other member course Poppy Ridge Golf Course in Livermore.
Recently, architect Jay Blasi stopped by to chat about water conservation and sustainability at Poppy Ridge.
"We are trying to be sustainable. It's a big property out here on the open California landscape,' said Blasi, whose previous work includes U.S. Open venue Chambers Bay in Washington and the recently renovated Golden Gate Park Golf Course in San Francisco. "We're trying to minimize the footage of turf by only using turf where it's needed."
As Blasi noted, it's also about the turf being selected. Earlier, Blasi explained that the new 18-hole course will feature three different types of grasses.
The tees, fairways and green surrounds areas will all be Santa Ana Bermuda grass, which is sod that has been installed.
On the greens complexes themselves, those will be seeded with a new variety of Bentgrass.
The third and final type of grass will be a hydro-seeded Fescue mix. That grass will be featured in the out-of-play areas.
"We think the Bermuda will love this climate," Blasi explained. "The Bermuda loves the heat and requires less water."
The Poppy Ridge plans include the creation of a new 18-hole course, a nine-hole composite course with a few new holes (which is now open) and various improvements to its practice areas including the driving range, which are also again open for members and public use.
The renovation project of the 18-hole course is anticipated to be completed in mid-2025.
The Poppy Ridge project was initiated when it became mandatory to replace the course’s aging irrigation system, which was installed upon its original opening.
To follow along and learn more about the Poppy Ridge renovation, please visit our Renovation blog
You can also learn more by visiting the Poppy Ridge website
Update January 3, 2025
EARLY PRAISE
As you're probably aware by now, Poppy Ridge Golf Course, owned and operated by the Northern California Golf Association, is currently undergoing a renovation that is expected to be completed in mid-2025.
Turns out, we're not the only ones who are excited about what is on its way.
In a recent article on Golf.com titled "9 New (and Newly Renovated) Public Courses We Can’t Wait to Play in 2025", writer Josh Sens said of the Poppy Ridge project: "Like its sibling, Poppy Hills, in Monterey, Poppy Ridge belongs to the Northern California Golf Association and has long been one of the Bay Area’s better daily-fee values. But in its original configuration, the 27-hole facility had awkward stretches, marked by steep elevation changes and long hikes between holes. Enter the architect Jay Blasi. In what amounts to a new build, Blasi created a championship 18-hole routing, using choice land from each of the three existing nines. The result is a compelling, walker-friendly course, stitched through rolling, vineyard-fringed terrain, about an hour east of San Francisco. Call it a good value, vastly improved."
In another article on the website GolfPass, writer TimGavrich mentions Poppy Ridge as a new course the public will be able to play in 2025, stating: "Although 27 holes of golf have existed on this site since the 1990s, architect Jay Blasi has taken 18 of them and built an entirely new routing that will serve as a home course for members of the Northern California Golf Association."
And if you weren't aware of what is happening at Poppy Ridge?
In March 2024, the NCGA officially announced a renovation of the site to include the creation of a new 18-hole Championship course, a nine-hole course, and improvements to its practice areas. Both the nine-hole course and new practice areas are open now.
The 18-hole course, which is being designed by local architect Jay Blasi, will open sometime in mid-2025.
The project was initiated when it became mandatory to replace the course’s aging irrigation system, which was installed upon Poppy Ridge’s original opening in 1996. The original Poppy Ridge site consisted of three separate Nine-hole segments—the Chardonnay, Merlot and Zinfandel layouts.
“Upon extensive review of the property, we saw the opportunity to deliver a new 18-hole Championship course for our valued members and players of all abilities,” NCGA CEO Joe Huston explained at the groundbreaking. “Additionally, we saw the opportunity to further incorporate a 9-hole course that supports our mission to ensure that golf is welcoming for people of all ages and skill levels.”
To learn more about the Poppy Ridge renovation and to get the latest updates, please visit our Poppy Ridge Renovation blog.
Update December 5, 2024
LEARNING ABOUT THE BUNKERS
Every golf course has hazards, and so too will the new 18-hole NCGA member course at Poppy Ridge Golf Course in Livermore.
So what is happening in regards to bunkers on what will be the new 18-hole course?
Recently, architect Jay Blasi stopped by to provide an update.
As Blasi explained, the bunkers are being lined with capillary concrete, which will not only help with drainage, but also protect the bunkers from burrowing animals such as squirrels and gophers.
The capillary concrete is basically a gravely-type mix that lays across the bottom of each bunker.
“There’s a lot of work that goes into making a hazard,” Blasi said. “Nowadays, when you build a bunker there are a lot of different liners. This particular liner is what we deemed best for this property.”
Blasi's previous work includes U.S. Open venue Chambers Bay in Washington and the recently renovated Golden Gate Park Golf Course in San Francisco.
The Poppy Ridge plan includes the creation of a new 18-hole course, a new nine-hole course and various improvements to the practice areas including the driving range. The new practice areas and driving range are open, along with a nine-hole course. The renovation project is anticipated to be completed in mid-2025.
The Poppy Ridge project was initiated when it became mandatory to replace the course’s aging irrigation system, which was installed upon its original opening.
As for the turf, the new 18-hole course will feature three different types of grasses.
The tees, fairways and green surrounds will all be Santa Ana Bermuda grass. The greens complexes have been seeded with a new variety of Bentgrass and a hydro-seeded Fescue mix is featured in the out-of-play areas.
The original Poppy Ridge site, which opened in 1996, consisted of three separate Nine-hole segments—the Chardonnay, Merlot, and Zinfandel layouts.
In 2014, the NCGA performed a full renovation of Poppy Hills Golf Course in Pebble Beach to rave reviews.
Update October 23, 2024
TALKING TURF
If you've been to Poppy Ridge Golf Course in Livermore recently, you probably noticed that grass is starting to come in at what will be the new 18-hole NCGA member course.
The new 18-hole course will feature three different types of grasses.
The tees, fairways and greens-surrounding areas will all be Santa Ana Bermuda grass, which is sod that has been installed.
"We think the Bermuda will love this climate," architect Jay Blasi explained. "The Bermuda loves the heat and requires less water."
On the greens complexes themselves, those will be seeded with a new variety of Bentgrass.
The third and final type of grass will be a hydro-seeded Fescue mix. That grass will be featured in the out-of-play areas.
The Poppy Ridge plans include the creation of a new 18-hole course, a new nine-hole course and various improvements to its practice areas including the driving range, which is again open for members and public use. The renovation project is anticipated to be completed in mid-2025.
Blasi's previous work includes U.S. Open venue Chambers Bay in Washington and the recently renovated Golden Gate Park Golf Course in San Francisco.
As per the overall design, Blasi has noted that the new 18-hole course will be for players of all abilities.
“Because this is the home course of NCGA members, we want to ensure the course is fun and enjoyable for all players,” Blasi said. “At the same time, we want to make the course thought-provoking and challenging for the skilled players.”
The Poppy Ridge project was initiated when it became mandatory to replace the course’s aging irrigation system, which was installed upon its original opening.
The original Poppy Ridge site, which opened in 1996, consisted of three separate Nine-hole segments—the Chardonnay, Merlot, and Zinfandel layouts.
In 2014, the NCGA performed a full renovation of Poppy Hills Golf Course in Pebble Beach to rave reviews.
Follow all of the renovation at Poppy Ridge on our Poppy Ridge Course Renovations Blog
You can also get a sneak peek at photos of the new 18-hole course here
Update: August 1, 2024
MAKING PROGRESS
Sections of what will be the new 18-hole course at Poppy Ridge Golf Course in Livermore wine country are beginning to take shape.
Recently, architect Jay Blasi, who is overseeing the project, stopped by to talk about some of the renovation progress.
“We’re just getting the train rolling. Golf construction is very much like a train. There’s the different parts, and they all have to go in sequence,” said Blasi, whose work includes 2015 U.S. Open venue Chambers Bay in Washington. “Right now we’re at a phase of the project where basically all of the different elements of the project are occurring at once. At the very front of the train we’ve got some preliminary earthworks going on, and at the back of the train we’ve got some grass seeding going on.”
Plans include the creation of a new 18-hole course, a new nine-hole course and various improvements to its practice areas including the driving range, which has already re-opened for members and public use. The renovation project, which will also make the two courses more walkable, is anticipated to be completed in mid-2025.
The original Poppy Ridge site, which opened in 1996, consisted of three separate Nine-hole segments—the Chardonnay, Merlot, and Zinfandel layouts.
“Because this is the home course of NCGA members, we want to ensure the course is fun and enjoyable for all players,” Blasi said. “At the same time, we want to make the course thought-provoking and challenging for the skilled players.”
The Poppy Ridge project was initiated when it became mandatory to replace the course’s aging irrigation system, which was installed upon its original opening.
“Upon extensive review of the property, we saw an inherent opportunity to deliver a new 18-hole Championship course for our valued members and players of all abilities,” NCGA CEO Joe Huston said. “Additionally, the possibility existed to further incorporate a 9-hole course that fully supports our mission to ensure that golf is welcoming for people of all ages and skill levels.”
As per sustainability, Blasi noted the new courses will feature new turfgrass that will require less water and be designed to require less day-to-day maintenance.
Throughout the project, there will always be nine holes open for play for both NCGA members and the public. The Poppy Ridge site is also still hosting casual group outings, charity outings, weddings and other special events.
In 2014, the NCGA performed a full renovation of Poppy Hills Golf Course in Pebble Beach to rave reviews.
March 7, 2024
GROUNDBREAKING
Ten years after renovating Poppy Hills Golf Course, the NCGA is focusing on making improvements to its unique Bay Area golf property—the 27-hole Poppy Ridge Golf Course in Livermore wine country.
Plans for what will be the new Poppy Ridge include the creation of an 18-hole Championship course, a Composite Nine-hole course, and selected improvements to its practice areas. Local Golf Course Architect Jay Blasi will oversee the design of the new 18-hole course and practice areas.
The project, expected to be completed in mid-2025, was initiated when it became mandatory to replace the course’s aging irrigation system, which was installed upon Poppy Ridge’s original opening in 1996.
“Upon extensive review of the property, we saw the opportunity to deliver a new 18-hole Championship course for our valued members and players of all abilities,” NCGA CEO Joe Huston said. “Additionally, we saw the opportunity to further incorporate a 9-hole course that supports our mission to ensure that golf is welcoming for people of all ages and skill levels.”
The original Poppy Ridge site consisted of three separate Nine-hole segments—the Chardonnay, Merlot and Zinfandel layouts. The architectural design for the two new components will make the overall layout more walkable, however, carts will continue to be available.
Throughout the project, there will be nine holes always open for play for both NCGA members and the public. The Poppy Ridge site will also still be able to host casual group outings, charity outings, weddings, and other special events.
In 2014, the NCGA re-opened a fully renovated Poppy Hills Golf Course in Pebble Beach to rave reviews.
When the NCGA originally opened Poppy Hills in 1986, it became the first Allied Golf Association to own and operate its own golf course. Poppy Ridge was later added in 1996.
To follow along with the progress and browse FAQs, please visit our Course Renovations page.