Course Care Initiative

Introduction

The course looks beautiful, but beneath the surface, aging systems are creating challenges members increasingly notice, flooding after heavy rain, lingering wet spots, and areas that don’t drain as they once did. This project addresses those issues head-on while restoring Joe Lee’s design intent, paying attention to his influences, only better suited to the modern game and member expectations.

Fully funded through sound financial management, with no anticipated member assessment while preserving a strong capital reserve. By securing today’s construction pricing with safeguards for inflation, we’re taking a smart, proactive step that protects both the course and our long-term financial health. It’s a commitment to excellence that ensures every round delivers the quality, pride, and enjoyment our members expect and deserve.

What This Project Addresses

Irrigation Replacement: Modernize irrigation lines and systems to use water and treatments more efficiently, improving turf health, consistency, and overall playing conditions.
Drainage Upgrades: Replace aging and outdated underground systems to reduce flooding, eliminate wet spots, and improve turf consistency.
Bunker Reconstruction: Full reconstruction, including drainage, liners, design, and strategic repositioning where needed to create a more consistent playing experience while staying true to Joe Lee’s style and architectural lineage.
Driving Range Lengthening and Widening: The range is undersized for today’s modern equipment and poses a significant safety concern. Flooding/irrigation issues prevent consistent use.
Greens Restoration: Rebuild every green to meet USGA specifications, including the eleven original greens and the others, to capture Joe Lee’s design intent while considering today’s green speeds and playability factors.
Lake Bank Stabilization: Repair and restoration of all shorelines with a consistent natural theme to reduce erosion, improve safety, and prevent future costly repairs.
Regrassing: Replacing the same high-performing grasses we currently enjoy but re-establishing them under optimal conditions.

Member Impact and Experience

No Anticipated Member Assessment: This project is being funded through the Club’s strong financial management and long-range planning; we anticipate no additional member assessment will be required and following this project we will still have a healthy reserve account.

Reciprocal Play During Construction (2028): Members will continue to enjoy exceptional golf thanks to the Club’s robust network of reciprocal relationships with top regional clubs.

Improved Playability & Durability: Upgrades to drainage, irrigation, bunkers, greens, and lake banks will deliver firmer conditions, more consistent lies, and faster recovery after rain.

Enjoyment for All Levels of Play: The Master Plan will ensure the course challenges skilled players while remaining welcoming and enjoyable for players of all skill levels.

Course Care Initiative Projected Costs
Total - $11.3M
Contingency - $1.5M
Total Budgeted Cost - $12.8M
Anticipated Capital Reserve after Project completion - $2M+ including contingency

Your Board of Governors and relevant Committee Members will be available to members who would like a deeper look at the plan and financials to ask questions in a relaxed, informative setting.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why is the Club undertaking this project now?
While the course continues to look great, the infrastructure beneath it, including drainage, irrigation, and bulkheads, has reached the end of its functional life. Members have noticed issues such as flooding, wet spots, and course closures. Addressing these needs now prevents more costly repairs later and allows the Club to lock in today’s pricing for 2028.

2. Why 2028?
The Club is taking a proactive stance to address infrastructure concerns before failures arise. Existing drainage challenges are affecting both playability and course access. With contractors scheduling more than a year ahead, this timeline enables us to secure leading vendors and avoid reactive, last-minute decisions.

Turfgrass must now be reserved nearly a year in advance, as sod farms are booking rapidly due to high demand from renovation projects across the industry. Early reservations ensure Turtle Creek receives the correct grass varieties on time, avoiding delays or increased costs.
Irrigation and drainage materials also require long lead times for ordering, manufacturing, and delivery. Securing these materials early keeps the project on schedule and protects the Club from supply-chain-driven delays.

3. Why lock in pricing now for 2028?
By approving the Master Plan and securing materials directly from suppliers now, the Club avoids third-party markups and supply-chain challenges. As our Superintendent, Clarence Covington, notes, purchasing everything up front and buying straight from the source locks in pricing, reduces risk, and delivers meaningful savings. It’s a proactive step that ensures cost stability.

4. Will there be a member assessment?
The project is expected to be fully funded through prudent financial management and long-range planning. It requires no anticipated member assessment and leaves the Club with healthy reserves for future needs.

5. When will the work take place?
The Master Plan is currently under development and is expected to take up to 6 months. Construction is projected to begin in 2028. The project begins with three applications of a non-selective herbicide starting in February. Construction would start on April 1^st and end by July. The reopening is scheduled for the beginning of November, provided there are no weather-related impacts during the project. More detailed timelines will be shared once the plan and cost estimates are finalized.

Click here for more FAQ's

Preliminary Master Plan Concept Sketches
Click Here to View.
Included enlarged hole-by-hole drawings.

Listen & Learn Video +
Master Plan Presentation
Click Here to view the Preliminary Master Plan Presentation

Preparing Today, Enhancing Tomorrow

Course Insights with Clarence Covington
Clarence, Turtle Creek Club's Golf Course Superintendent, explains why updating our core infrastructure, irrigation, drainage, bunkers, greens, and lake banks, is essential to maintaining these conditions well into the future.

Meet our Architect:

After extensive research, interviews, and site visits, the Long Range Planning Committee and Board of Governors unanimously selected Tripp Davis to lead the development of the Course Care Initiative. Tripp is known for blending artistry with respect for classic course architecture.

For our Club, that means preserving Joe Lee’s timeless design while addressing key infrastructure needs from irrigation and drainage to bunkers and greens. Under his guidance, members can expect a course that remains true to its heritage yet performs to modern standards for generations to come. Click here to learn more about Tripp and his team and see their portfolio.

Tripp's Vision