Shadow Wood Country Club’s North Course Renovations Complete

BONITA SPRINGS, Fla. (Oct. 31, 2017) – Shadow Wood Country Club reopened its North Course this month following a summer-long renovation project under the direction of Rees Jones, President of Rees Jones, Inc. Golf Course Design.

Jones is a long-time friend of the original course designer Bob Cupp, who passed away last year. With the help of Bob’s son Bobby, Jones used Cupp’s hole-by-hole notes to help guide him with the renovation.

“Our main focus, which the membership shared, was to preserve the essence of Bob’s original design, but at the same time update the course to today’s standards,” said Jones.

Along with Vice President and Senior Designer Bryce Swanson, who was the lead architect and project manager, Jones added a new set of membership tees, increased the size of selected tees, and adjusted the location of others in order to improve options and create variety off the tee. The greens were completely rebuilt, and the new green surfaces were recontoured to add subtle movement and provide for new hole locations. All greenside bunkers were redesigned and rebuilt, and some were removed to create closely mowed chipping areas that add to the shot options that can be played around the greens. Rock walls around the ponds were rebuilt to address playability and to enhance their visual appearance. Fairway bunkers were added, reconstructed, relocated or removed in light of today’s play.

“We did a comprehensive review of the design of the course and strategically enhanced how each hole is played.” said Jones.

Swanson added, “We wanted the greens to be receptive to both the ground and aerial game, so each green was evaluated and reworked in a classic fashion to accommodate modern play.”

“The members are excited about playing the course. Rees’ and Bryce’s experience have made for the perfect combination for Shadow Wood Country Club as it evolves in the years to come,” said Dr. Jay Sandza, chair of the club’s grounds committee.

Founded in 1974 and headquartered in Montclair, New Jersey, Rees Jones Inc. Golf Course Design provides customized designs and construction supervision for private clubs, resorts, real estate communities and public facilities in the U.S. and worldwide. Jones has designed or redesigned more than 225 golf courses in his career. His remodeling skills have been applied to seven U.S. Open venues, eight PGA Championship courses, five Ryder Cup sites, and two Walker Cup sites, as well as the President’s Cup at The Royal Montreal Golf Club. He also redesigned East Lake Golf Club, the permanent site of the PGA TOUR Championship that is now the final event of the FedEx Cup.