By Laura Hyde (For Golf Course Architecture – Sept. 26, 2024)
Architect John Fought is returning to Alpine Country Club in Highland, 30 miles south of Salt Lake City in Utah, to create a new practice facility.
Fought first worked at Alpine CC in 2008, when he redesigned holes eleven to thirteen. He also completed a bunker renovation with Duininck Golf in 2018.
At 68,000 square feet, the new facility will be more than triple the size of the club’s existing practice area. Situated directly alongside the tees of the opening hole, the new driving range, with five artificial target greens on each side of a central fairway, will be complemented by a new short game area. To facilitate the expansion, Fought will redesign holes five, six, seven and nine on the course. The project also involves irrigation pond relining, landscaping and a new border fence.
This latest renovation is part of a three-phase, 10-year plan at the club. Work on the $6.8 million project is scheduled to begin in July 2025 with completion expected by autumn 2027. The club’s current practice facility will close for 22 months during construction, but the club’s course will remain open to members during the renovation, other than during the three-month winter closure.
“It’s great to have someone like John, a BYU (Brigham Young University) graduate who understands the area, take on this project,” said Michael Bickett, general manager of Alpine Country Club. “He has already done work on the course here, and he and Jake [Ebner, club superintendent] have a great rapport, which is very beneficial.”
“I love Alpine Country Club, and the work we’re doing here will be nothing short of dramatic,” Fought said. “When this project is completed, I’m confident the membership will be amazed by the improvements we’re making.”
