Players Course Redesign Updates

“We are excited to enhance one of the great municipal golf courses in the U.S. The Players Course will become a true championship layout that will challenge the best players in the game and provide a wonderful experience for golfers of all skill levels.”

John Fought

The renovation, led by renowned golf course architect John Fought and his team, will involve rerouting several holes, including the ninth, 17th, and 18th. The Players Course, currently a par 72, will be transformed into a par 71, featuring two exciting new finishing holes. The par-3 No. 17 and par-4 No. 18, currently the only holes on the south side of the Whitewater Wash, will be relocated to the north side, joining the majority of the course.

Additionally, the par-5 ninth hole will be moved closer to the clubhouse to enhance access to food and beverage amenities. The project will also include a comprehensive refresh of the bunkers, tee boxes, and greens on each hole, ensuring a consistent and exceptional playing experience. Off the course, a new fire-access road will be constructed, allowing fire trucks and other heavy vehicles to traverse the wash between the clubhouse and the heart of the Players Course.

“We are thrilled that one of the country’s best public golf courses is about to become even better,” says Robin Graf, General Manager of Indian Wells Golf Resort. “Working with Fought and his team has been a pleasure, and we look forward to welcoming our residents and guests from around the world to experience the new design later this year.”

Originally redesigned by Fought in 2007, the Players Course has consistently ranked among the top public-access golf courses in the country. The planned structural changes will enhance the playability of the renowned course while preparing it for its future role as host of elite professional golf championships.

“We are excited to enhance one of the great municipal golf courses in the U.S.,” says Fought. “The Players Course will become a true championship layout that will challenge the best players in the game and provide a wonderful experience for golfers of all skill levels.”

March Update:

• Landscapes Unlimited has made a lot of progress over the past week and a half. Currently these are areas that they are working on with preliminary stages of demolition:
• The new 9^th,10^th,11^th & 18th holes have been demolished and tilled
• The concrete cart paths have been removed on former holes #1,#2 and #8
• All former greens have been stripped of old material and the greens cavity have been cored out removing any organic matter in the top 4”
• Bury pits on former #2,#9 & #16 have been formed for material to be disposed of during demolition
• The sites for the 18^th green and the 10^th tee have begun with preliminary shaping and grading
• Bunker liners/sand have been removed on several holes and have been tilled
• All trees to remain during construction have been marked by John Fought and Nick Leitner

April Update:
The Players course renovation is moving along very nicely and is currently on budget and on time. Landscapes Unlimited still has two teams that are working on mainly the East and West side of property.

• East side of property:
• Bunker shape cutting has begun to take place, and we expect to add drainage and liner in the next several weeks.
• Preliminary bunker shaping continues to take place on the new 4th and 5th holes which were formerly the 12th and 13th holes.
• Lake dredging to clear pump station intake and muck from the former 10th hole has been completed.
• IWGR agronomy crew continues to clear overgrown landscapes and try to restore them to manageable landscape areas.
• West side of property:
• The new 18th green drainage has been outlined and will begin to be installed in the next several days.
• Bunkers on the new 18th green and approach have been approved and outlined by Nick and John for first cuts.
• The new 10th green and bunkers have begun with preliminary grading.
• The new 11th green has also begun with preliminary grading and a large amount of fill in the fairway.
• The new 17th hole has begun with preliminary cuts to begin shaping the new hole.
• David Yoshamira and Nick Leitner have begun to start marking irrigation plans on the new 1st, 9th and putting green areas.

May Update

• Pavilion roadway has been demolished and Landscapes Unlimited will continue testing the fire road area to assure it is to specifications.
• Cart path has been formed on the 1st tee, starters station, putting green, and partially around the 18th green areas.
• Mainline has been installed on the 1st,9th, and part of the 10th/18th holes, they will begin installing lateral valves in the coming days.
• The 10th green continues to receive greens mix in preparation for sprigging.
• The 11th green has been cored out and is awaiting drainage and greens mix to be ready for sprigging. The 12th green is currently waiting for John Foughts approval.
• Capillary concrete and liner has been added to holes #1,#2,#3, and #4.

Players Renovation

• Cart paths on holes #1, #10 & #18 have been completed, and the fire road continues to progress down hole #9 towards the maintenance yard.
• Greens complexes on holes 1 thru 5,8,14,18, PG and Chipping green have been sprigged and are beginning to grow.
• Tee complex on hole #1 has been sprigged with irrigation on a constant run.
• Holes #12 and #17 have had the greens cavities cored out and will begin back filling with greens mix over the next week.
• New Elderica pine trees have been installed on holes #9,#10 & #18 to create separation. Agronomy team is currently hooking up irrigation to assure that the trees are getting the proper water.
• Bunker work has been completed on holes #9 & #5 green.