November 10, 2015
Poppy Hills Named Course of the Year by California Golf Course Owners Association
Poppy Hills Golf Course, the home course of the NCGA, has received more recognition.
Earlier this week, the California Golf Course Owners Association named Poppy Hills its winner for 2015 Course of the Year.
The Course of the Year Award honors a CGCOA member demonstrating excellence in five areas:
- Exceptional quality of the course
- Exemplary water stewardship practices
- Exceptional quality of ownership and management
- Outstanding contribution to the community
- Significant contributions to the game
Since its re-opening in April 2014 following a complete renovation, Poppy Hills’ other accolades include being named Best New Course (Best U.S. Semi-Private Renovation) by Golf Magazine and Best New Course (Renovation) by Golf Digest.
“There are so many other courses out there doing such wonderful things. We’re honored and excited to receive the award,” Poppy Hills general manager Brad Shupe said. “We’re also thrilled for our members who call Poppy Hills home.”
During this year’s Nature Valley First Tee Open at Pebble Beach, 2014 U.S. Senior Open winner Colin Montgomerie, who had never played Poppy Hills, called it an “excellent” track.
“Poppy reminds me a little bit of Pinehurst and a little bit of Pine Valley in many ways,” Montgomerie said.
The main focus of the course’s $14 million renovation, which has led to a firmer and faster layout, was water conservation. Highlights of the renovation included reducing irrigated areas from 86 to 62 acres and the installation of a cutting-edge irrigation system.
Since the renovation, water consumption at the course has dropped 25%.
Environmentally, the course has also invested in a hi-tech fertilizer sprayer that has resulted in 50% less chemical usage.
Poppy Hills annually hosts numerous NCGA tournaments for players of all abilities and hosts over 1,000 Youth on Course rounds, with kids playing for $5.
–Jerry Stewart
