Reopened in November 2003, the course was lengthened by 200 yards, to 6,855 yards from the back tees, and the routing of Nos. 10 and 18 holes was reversed, resulting in a spectacular “island” green for No. 10 and an all-around “new-course feel” for IMG Academies Golf & Country Club at El Conquistador’s member players. The renovation project also included replacement of irrigation and pump stations, enlarging the driving range and rebuilding all sand traps.

Gene Bates, golf course architect, Gene Bates Golf Design, speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony and press conference.

The renovation’s top priorities were to increase playability, maintain challenge, and improve maintenance (through better irrigation and a new drainage system). Through careful shaping of the course, several fairways that had been “crowned” due to seams of rock running through them were “repaired” to create a more playable golf course. Where did the “new” dirt come from to raise fairways or create mounds? At IMG Academies Golf & Country Club at El Conquistador and other courses, the design team expands lakes or creates new ones to generate the dirt needed. The result is a better fairway and, on a few of the holes, increases challenge by the water.

The new grass, is a state-of-the-art hybrid developed specifically for southern courses. ‘TifEagle’ was planted on the greens and ‘TifSport’ on the fairways, tees and rough. These thicker, denser grasses can be cut shorter and allow the golf ball to “sit up” better.