RTJ II Finishes Remodel of Contra Costa Country Club


Following its 2014 renovation of Poppy Hills Golf Course, in Pebble Beach, Calif., the golf architecture firm of Robert Trent Jones II (RTJ II) has completed an extensive remodel of Contra Costa Country Club (CCCC) in Pleasant Hill, Calif. Routing through rolling foothills, the 90-year-old course was originally designed by Golden Age architect Arthur Vernon Macan.

In an effort to revitalize the club, improve playing conditions, and reduce water consumption, CCCC hired RTJ II in advance of its 90th anniversary to completely remodel the golf course in the spirit of Macan's original design.

In addition to reshaping all greens, bunkers and tees, RTJ II specified re-grassing the entire course with more drought-tolerant grasses on the fairways, and created a comprehensive network of fairway and bunker to open opened up vistas and create wider fairway corridors, while at the same time reducing water requirements by removing 15 acres of irrigated turf.

The remodel returned the course to its original design - including bringing back the wild, rugged bunkering and making the surfaces firmer, faster and more fun to play. Golfers can now employ a variety of ground-game strategies.

"These projects conserve the precious commodity of water," said RTJ II chairman Robert Trent Jones, Jr., "which will result in considerable savings for the ownership in annual water and power costs, while reducing the overall yearly maintenance costs of their facilities."

At CCCC, the firm restored the natural rolling Northern California landscape by planting wispy native grasses as backdrop to the native oaks and reopened views toward Mt. Diablo and the surrounding hills. The new grasses are better at tolerating reclaimed water, a significant benefit for the health of the course.

As a further amenity to the club, RTJ II expanded and redesigned the practice facility, adding different tee distances and shot angles. It includes a newly designed 40,000-square-foot practice tee, practice greens and chipping greens to allow the members to practice all types of shots they may encounter on the course.

Jones believes that many courses throughout the U.S. and the world can benefit from the kinds of remodels and renovations his firm performs. "Golf courses are like classic old houses that need maintenance and repair, and remodeling a course is like repainting a beautiful Victorian mansion," he said.

For more information, visit www.rtj2.com.