The New Poppy Ridge | The Inside Scoop
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.
For more information on the new 18-hole course at Poppy Ridge, please see our Poppy Ridge Blog