Silver Sage Tiger Proofed!

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Timothy Cook
  • 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho - --  Golf Creations of Marengo, Ill. is currently working the $1.2 million greens renovation project at Silver Sage Golf course which began in April and will continue through Aug. 1, 2012.

The renovations include significant improvements to the current design and will bring the greens into current United States Golf Association specifications.

"The greens will be blessed by the governing body of golf, which gives Mountain Home [AFB] the ability to host amateur golf events or even something like a U.S. Open," said Steve Vedder, Silver Sage golf course manager.

Phase one of the renovation consists of the complete reconstruction of 10 putting greens originally built in 1953. This includes nine holes along with the practice green adjacent to the club house.

The owner and founder of Golf Creations, Bob Lohmann, must have the first greens planted by Aug. 1, under the contract agreement. Mike Daily who is assigned to manage the renovation, is planning to complete the project before the deadline and expects the first phase greens to be ready for play this fall.

"The weather was perfect in Idaho for the first seven weeks of the renovation," said Mr. Daily. "We didn't have rain until we started sodding, so that delayed us a bit."

After the first phase is complete, the second phase will begin with transforming the remaining nine greens. These greens were added to the current course layout in 1980, and according to the contract agreement must be planted by Aug. 1, 2012. Mr. Daily is confident the project will be completed well before the deadline.

"The first nine is all done, we're just waiting for the greens to grow in and then we'll be able to start the second nine," added Mr. Daily. "We're in a waiting phase right now, but the first nine went well and I expect everything will be fine."

Upgrades include improved run-off and absorption rates; more weather and disease tolerant grass; larger greens with added slopes, and new bunkers with proper drainage.
"I think the upgrades will be a huge difference for Silver Sage," stated Mr. Daily. "We've doubled green sizes on most of the greens. I think everyone will be very pleased."

During each phase of the renovation the nine holes not under construction will be open for play. There are signs posted to direct golfers to the current nine-hole layout to help avoid any confusion during play. A new scorecard has been created that includes rating, slope and yardages for the renovation layout.

Silver Sage historically hosts 10,000 rounds of golf per year, and the nine-hole layout is adequate to provide customers with a complete golf experience during the renovation, according to Mr. Vedder.

During phase two of the project, golfers will be able to experience the greens renovated during phase one and also play the original nine-hole Silver Sage layout from the 1953 Bob Baldock design.

"This will provide our golfers the opportunity to play the original [nine-hole] course with the latest technology. Those who remember the original 1980 course will see it reborn in 2011," said Mr. Vedder.