11
O
ne of two courses at
Camelback Golf Club, Indian
Bend had a poor reputation
among local and visiting golfers. An
out-and-back routing that followed the
Indian Bend Wash, the course was so
flat that, despite being in a desert, it
would flood easily and failed to drain
well even with normal irrigation.
There were a number of other issues:
greens and tees were too small, there
were concerns relating to safety,
the course had a lack of visual and
strategic quality and, with 210 acres of
maintained turf and numerous non-
native trees, it lacked environmental
sensitivity to its location.
The club worked with Jason Straka,
ASGCA to oversee a complete
renovation of what would be renamed
the ‘Ambiente’ course. The main wash
occupied by the course was lowered
several feet in elevation, and the fill was
used to raise the new golf holes. The
effect has been dramatic, with more
change in elevation in a single hole than
there previously was in six holes. The
raised playing surfaces now mean that
the course drains better and can stay
open even during moderate flood events.
Ambiente now has just 90 acres of
maintained turf, with the remainder
having been replanted with a mix
of native trees, shrubs, grasses and
wildflowers, adding visual interest
and creating animal habitat. The new
course will significantly cut required
maintenance resources and reduce use of
water, fertilizer, pesticides and fossil fuels.
Location:
Scottsdale, Arizona
Architect:
Jason Straka, ASGCA
Fry/Straka Global Golf Course Design
Project summary:
As a renowned AAA 5-Diamond
Marriott hotel, Camelback Inn felt that
its Indian Bend course did not reflect
the quality of the rest of its resort.
Working with Jason Straka, ASGCA,
the course was completely redesigned
to improve playability, strategy, safety,
aesthetics and the environment.
Partners:
Integrity Golf
Toro
Profile Products
Jacklin Seed
Advanced Drainage Systems
OB Sports Management
Marriott Golf
Previously flat, the new Ambiente
course features dramatic contouring
for improved drainage, architectural
interest and aesthetics
“The new course will
significantly cut required
maintenance resources
and reduce use of water,
fertilizer, pesticides and
fossil fuels”
CAMELBACK GC
Photos: © 2013, Dave Sansom
