Tulsa Country Club

Rees Jones Brings Tulsa Country Club Into 21st Century

Courtesy of Kyle Fredrickson
Tulsa World

Tulsa Country Club head professional Jeff Combe said No. 14 could become the course's signature hole. STEPHEN PINGRY/Tulsa World

The Tulsa Country Club golf course is receiving a $6 million facelift that will combine tradition with modern design.

Renovation began on the course at 701 N.Union Ave. in September.

The front nine will be open to members on Wednesday, with the grand reopening for all 18 holes on July 1.

Jason Fiscus, club general manager, said the rebuild was a matter of bringing the course into the 21st century. The last time the course had been changed was in 1988 when 15 greens were rebuilt.

But greens, bridges, cart paths and the irrigation system have become outdated. Fiscus said if the club was going to fix the course, it had to go beyond the expected.

"We really wanted to do it right and make it the very best it could be," Fiscus said. "So we hired Rees Jones, who is one of the top golf course architects in the world."

Jones is responsible for designing the courses for seven U.S. Opens, seven PGA Championships, four Ryder Cups, two Walker Cups and a Presidents Cup.

Fiscus said Jones was hired because of his reputation, but also because of his knowledge of courses like the Tulsa County Club course, an A.W. Tillinghast original design.

"In our business, you learn by doing," Jones said. "I've done so many Tillinghast golf courses that I sort of know what was in his mind. It was all about shot options and having to map out a course of action after your drive."

Jones said by redesigning all 18 holes, he has created a golf course suited for all skill levels. By adding 25 bunkers and creating six tee lengths, the course can be played in a variety of ways.

Jeff Combe, the head professional at the course for the past 20 years, said he's proud of the universal feel the course will have.

For the experienced golfer, Jones installed tournament tees that stretch the course to 7,000 yards. The front tees play 4,500 yards.

"We are not saying, 'This is the ladies' tee, this is the men's tee,' " Combe said. "You go play the tees at that distance that you feel comfortable, where you can enjoy the experience of the golf course. That was the goal."

Combe said a big part of the redesign was creating "high risk, high reward" par 3s and 4s, with intricate bunker designs around the greens.

For the more cautious golfer, the greens have been lowered to create a more natural run to the hole. Previously, the greens were elevated.

Jones referred to them as ramps.

"Rees' greens are very deceptively challenging," Fiscus said. "But he's also done a very good job of making it fair for higher handicappers and for the player that doesn't hit the ball as far."

Fiscus said the total rebuild cost is about $8.5 million, with $2.5 million going toward the clubhouse renovation.

Funding is coming from member donations, investments in bonds and traditional debt.

Jones said the new course will be one of the best new courses in the region.

"I think this is one of the best restorations that has been done in a long time; this is a restoration in style," Jones said. "I think it's going to be very, very popular and fun to play."

Notable Holes In The TCC's Facelift

No. 2. Par 4, 375 yards: Added a fairway bunker on the right and redesigned the green. Advanced golfers can try to get on the green in one stroke, but added fairway bunkers on the right side make it a challenge.

No. 8. Par 4, 421 yards: Jeff Combe, the head professional at the Tulsa Country Club, said this is the toughest hole on the golf course. The right side of the green features two bunkers, while the left side is built up. More experienced golfers can take a chance and dodge the bunkers, while less experienced golfer can attempt to run the ball up the right side of the green.

No. 9. Par 3, 175 yards: The tee box is shifted to the south with the green shifted to the north. The bunker also was changed from the front left to the front right. This hole has a good aesthetic feel and is one of the more challenging par 3s on the course.

No. 13. Par 4, 320 yards: The original No. 13 was a long par 4 with a blind tee shot. Course architect Rees Jones redesigned it into a short, high-risk, high-reward hole, with bunkers added to surround the green. Golfers have a variety of options on this hole.

No. 14. Par 3, 162 yards: Combe said No. 14 could become the course's signature hole. With a flowing creek in front of the green and a pond to the right, its difficulty is matched by its scenery.

*All yardage based off gold tees

TCC Distance Comparison

*Measured from the gold tees