Evian Masters Course to undergo Smyers Redesign

[Peter Ferlicca]

Yesterday why I was watching the telecast of the Evian Masters, it was mentioning that after the tournament concludes the course will close for a whole year till next September when it will become a Major for the ladies.  They said that Steve Smyers is going to do a 7 million euro redesign of the golf course.  It sounded like he is going to completely change the golf course.  IMO, this is great news because Smyers is a great architect and this course looks very boring as is.  It also mentioned that the whole project will be over 100 million euros updating the hotels also.  Anyways, does anyone have more information on what they are doing to the course, maybe a routing map, or hole designs, etc.  

I must admit now since I am going into Turfgrass I notice a lot more things when I watch golf on TV.  For this being one of the biggest events for the Ladies, I have never seen more crooked flagsticks in my life.  On #17 yesterday the flagstick was practically in sideways, they might want to get a more seasoned veteran in the future for cutting cups.  Also, there was white clover all over the place in the rough, not that big of deal, but for a place that is soon going to be hosting a Major, you would hope that conditions will be a little better on the maintenance side.  

[Mike Nuzzo]

How is a whole year enough time for a major renovation?
Why would a renovation cost $8.6MM?
Why do you think Smyers is great?

Cheers

[Peter Ferlicca]

Mike,

I can't answer those first two questions for you.  That why I started this thread to get a little more info.  I agree it sounds like they will have about 13 months till the start of the tournament in September.  I think it costs so much because they are completely redesigning the golf course, not just changing a couple holes, they are changing everything.  

I haven't played many Smyers courses, but in my hometown where I grew up in Carmel, is one of my favorites Wolf Run.  I just played it again this summer when I visited and it still blew me away the amount of diverse, strategic golf holes there are out there.  You never get bored playing Wolf Run.  

And plus anything is going to be better than what they have there now.  They could have hired Rees Jones, and it probably would have turned out better.  

[Joel_Stewart]

Smyers must be hot right now.  I heard yesterday he was awarded the redo at Monterey Peninsula CC (Dunes) which is a Raynor course that Rees renovated a few years ago.

[Mac Plumart]

Smyers must be hot right now.  I heard yesterday he was awarded the redo at Monterey Peninsula CC (Dunes) which is a Raynor course that Rees renovated a few years ago.

Joel:

Is it Silva or Smyers that is re-doing MPCC Dunes?

[Joey Chase]

And plus anything is going to be better than what they have there now.  They could have hired Rees Jones, and it probably would have turned out better.  

I just played this course a few weeks ago and couldn't agree more.  Although I am not too sure what they'll get out of the improvements.  Most of the front nine is on a fairly steep slope.  And there are some long connections up and down the hillside making for a difficult walk.  It does have a few interesting holes on the back nine that make it fun down the stretch, but some real clunkers too. 

[Joey Chase]

As an aside, they do have a killer practice facility, offsite though.  It has a nice driving range, par three course, large putting green, and a good sized short game practice area.  And all of it with spectacular views of Lac Leman.

[Joel_Stewart]

Smyers must be hot right now.  I heard yesterday he was awarded the redo at Monterey Peninsula CC (Dunes) which is a Raynor course that Rees renovated a few years ago.

Joel:

Is it Silva or Smyers that is re-doing MPCC Dunes?

My bad, you're correct, it's Brian Silva that's going to touch up MPCC Dunes.

Regarding Smyers, the announcers said the redo of the Evian course will cost $7.5 million.  That seems like a lot?