“Thanks to Randy, we’re going to have perfect greens, perfect fairways and perfect tees, and that is what we want for our members,” says Mike Hudson, President of Pinnacle Country Club and son of James T. “Red” Hudson, the Hudson Foods and Pinnacle Country Club founder who died in 2006. “We’ve got the finest group of members of any country club in the United States, and we want them to have the finest golf course.”
Known for his impeccable attention to detail, hands-on approach and reverence for nature, Heckenkemper worked with Pinnacle Country Club Golf Course Superintendent Todd Towery and his team to totally re-vamp the playing surfaces using a variety of cutting-edge, finely textured turfgrasses, with an eye toward enhancing the strategic value of the layout while ensuring premium conditions regardless of the weather. Fairways, tees and green surrounds were converted from Meyer Zoysia grass to Zorro Zoysia, a fine emerald-green colored, player-friendly variety that thrives in heat and humidity; roughs were converted to a tall fescue/Midnight Kentucky Bluegrass Blend, a cool season grass that is highly tolerant and disease-resistant; and greens were converted to Tyee Creeping Bentgrass, a superior putting surface that is heat-tolerant, exceptionally dense and resistant to brown patches and weed invasion.
Most significant in the renovation was the re-building of the greens throughout the course, many of which were completely re-positioned. Additionally, greenside and fairway bunkers were added to some holes while others were re-located or completely removed – most notably, the long fairway bunker at the par-4 5th hole; a state-of-the-art SubAir sub-surface “vacuum” system was installed to remove excess moisture on the greens; a technologically advanced irrigation system was added, along with a new pump station; tee boxes were rebuilt to allow for better drainage, and then laser leveled; and beautiful new water features and trees were added to enhance the overall aesthetics of the course. Adding to the risk/reward value of the course, the layout was lengthened from 6,745 yards to more than 7,000 yards while remaining a par-71.
The results, according to Heckenkemper, are subtle but dramatic. “Our objective was to refine this already exceptional course and bring it up to today’s modern standards, while being sensitive to the unique design elements that make Pinnacle so challenging, visually stunning and timeless…and I think we’ve accomplished that,” says Heckenkemper. “Without re-configuring holes and re-shaping fairways, we’ve made significant improvements in the strategy and playability of the course that will be unmistakable for members and guests, and will help ensure the long-term health and conditioning of the layout for many years to come.”
Heckenkemper knows a thing or two about subtlety. During the past 27 years, he has quietly designed or remodeled more than 40 golf courses across the United States, many of them considered among the best courses in the U.S. They include Forest Ridge Golf Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma and Stonebridge Meadows Golf Club in Fayetteville, Arkansas, named by Golf Digest the #4 and #10 rated golf courses in their respective states; The Territory Golf Club in Duncan, Oklahoma, recognized by Golfweek as the #10 best modern golf course in the U.S. and by Golf Digest as one of the top 10 golf courses in Oklahoma; and TPC Scottsdale’s new Champions Course and Chickasaw Pointe in Kingston, Oklahoma, both named by Golfweek among the “Best Top 30 Municipal Golf Courses in the U.S.” for 2007-2008.
Golf course improvements at Pinnacle Country Club are being complemented by upgrades to the practice areas, cart paths and parking lots, as well as the club’s luxurious, inviting clubhouse – already a magnificent focal point for member dining, socializing and relaxation. Enhancements will also include a variety of new programs, services, and golf and social events designed to create the ultimate private club experience for individuals, families and corporate members.
“We are continually looking for ways to not only meet members’ highest expectations for our golf facilities, but exceed them at every turn,” says Pinnacle Country Club General Manager Pat Hennessy. “From our spectacularly renovated golf course to our array of upscale amenities and exciting member events, we believe we have one of the finest private clubs in the country.”
Pinnacle Country Club is located at 3 Clubhouse Drive in Rogers, Arkansas. In addition to its championship golf course and comprehensive golf practice facilities, the club includes five clay and one hard tennis court, all lighted for evening play; casual and formal dining; a swimming pool, kiddie pool and children’s play area; a Kids’ Korner childcare and activity center; on-site massage therapy by appointment; and expansive, elegantly appointed banquet space for meetings and events of all sizes and types, with professional catering and event planning specialists on hand to assist with every detail for events held at Pinnacle Country Club.
For membership information, please call (479) 418-7415 or visit www.pinnaclecc.com.
