South Course at Corica Park

Course Type: Public

Design Role: Complete Redesign 2018

Co-Designer(s): Steve Weisser

Client Course Description

The 18-hole South Course at Corica Park in Alameda, CA is a public golf course that opened in 1957. Designed by William F. Bell, the South Course is one of the East Bay's most popular golf courses.

Designer Notes

A completely new course will be built on the site of an existing one. The site has imported thousands of truckloads of reclaimed dirt and sand from various tunnel digs and other Bay Area construction projects which has been brought in to raise the course and improve drainage and surface contouring. This same reclaimed dirt made it possible to implement a comprehensive drainage and water-harvesting system, preparing the South Course for both long dry spells and the heavy rains.  Drought-tolerant turf grasses were used on the fairways and native strains in the out-of-play areas, so that the course is playable 365 days per year.  This type of grass is perfect for the recycled water used to irrigate the course. In addition, the course has one of the most sophisticated irrigation systems installed at any golf course in the country. Underneath it all is a massive water-harvesting system that includes close to 690 catch basins and around 180,000 linear feet of drainage, with the course’s cart paths designed to help collect runoff.The reuse of materials doesn’t stop at the soil import but the theme was carried through other areas of the project. The cart path was constructed using recycled AB base rock and the bunkers were lined with synthetic turf from the old driving range and the Raiders football team's practice field.

The course is approximately on average was raised 3-4 feet higher which allowed the fairways and approaches to be shaped into gently rolling terrain reminiscent of golf in the Australian Sandbelt.  The course will be very playable and very walkable.

Rees Jones, Mark Logan and Steve Weisser - 11/06/16 Site Visit

Awards

• Golf Magazine: Best Municipal Course Renovation Of The Year
• Audubon International and Ewing Irrigation & Landscape Supply: Water & Sustainability Award

News

Corica Park South Course: A Sustainability Standout

The Best Municipal Course Renovation Of The Year

Corica Park's South Course Rises Again

A Rees Rescue

San Fran Sandbelt (PDF)

Rees Jones Creates A Masterpiece With The Corica Park South Course

Second Chances: Revamped South Course At Corica Park Reopens

The Australian Sandbelt Comes To America: A Bay Area Muni Is The Most Intriguing New Course Of The Year

Makeover Of Corica Park South Course In Alameda A Triumph

Alameda’s Corica Park South to Open June 22

Corica Park South Course Press Release

Rees Jones Site Visit Notes: Aug 25, 2016

Rees Jones Shows Off New South Course Design

Rees Jones Redesign At Alameda South Taking Shape

Alameda’s Popular Chuck Corica Golf Complex Getting New Looks

Jones Presents Alameda Course