Major renovations to the TPC course at the Four Seasons Las Colinas will make this year’s Byron Nelson Championship look and play a lot different. In efforts of re-livening the event and attracting more of the world’s top players, every hole on the course, which will now play sole host to the even has changed tee to green.
Since 1993, the TPC course has held three of the tournament’s four rounds, splitting the opening rounds with the Cottonwood Valley course. And although Las Colinas has been host to the PGA for the past 25 years, recently the course has received outright criticism from touring professionals for its dated layout.
Behind the modifications has been Golf Resources Group Inc., founded by D.A. Weibring, a 20-year PGA veteran and longtime friend of Mr. Nelson. Lead architect Steve Wolfard, who joined the firm in 1998, oversaw the redesign. Intentions for the multi-million dollar project have been to give the venue a cleaner look while celebrating the legacy of Byron himself.
With that in mind the Group sought to preserve what the players enjoyed about the course; while capitalizing on opportunities for improvement where presented. To hear first-hand thoughts behind the changes check out the ‘DA Weibring Byron Nelson‘ clip on google video.
Most notably, greens have been revamped and re-contoured. Tee decks have been given a traditional square look and realigned creating more interesting shot strategy. Fairways have been re-graded, sight lines improved, water hazards reshaped, and about 165 trees removed. White sand has also been used in a new bunker style, similar to that of the TPC at Deere Run, another Golf Resources Group project.
A new look on Number 18 has extended an existing lake now all the way to the green, accentuating a risk reward scenario. Despite initial comments on the fairway being too narrow, the hole should set up for some exciting finishes. Master’s champion Trevor Immelman commented after yesterday’s practice round "It’s going to be a great finishing hole, especially with 17, and then on 16 you’ve got a reachable par-5, so it’s going to be a fantastic finish on Sunday."
From concept to completion the group certainly did its research. Before considering taking on the project, Weibring consulted with Jay Morrish, original architect who designed the course back in 1983. Throughout the process they integrated a number of golfing bodies. Letters asking for feedback on the current layout were sent to all the players on PGA and Champions Tour; touring professionals were brought on course for and in-depth critique, JJ Henry and Harrison Frazar have been active Tour consultants, PGA officials were consulted, and the interests of tournament sponsor EDS, and The Salesmanship Club, annual tournament charity, were all considered.
From a design perspective the process followed has been outstanding. Involving as many parties as possible is a difficult challenge in itself. Weibring’s philosophy of protecting what the players already like about the course has been a seemingly obvious, but wise initiative requiring in-depth commitment that seems to be paying off. It has allowed for many improvements where the opportunities presented themselves, and looks to have potentially set up an exciting championship this weekend.
So far player feedback has been of a positive tone. Immelman agrees "it’s fantastic, it really is. It’s such a huge improvement. And I think as soon as word gets out how good the golf course is, you know, you’re going to start attracting a lot of great players to this event again."
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Dianne Baker
Apr 24, 2008 at 7:36 pm
Another great article, enjoying this series very much. It is nice for us laymen to be able to learn about the courses the PGA plays on. I have found all 4 articles to be very interesting.