Hills Signature Golf Course In Austin Slated For Major Renovation

AUSTIN, TX — The Hills of Lakeway officials on Wednesday announced imminent renovation work of The Hills Signature Course by Nicklaus Design — the design firm of golf legend Jack Nicklaus — they said "...will positively impact nearly every aspect of the course."

Additionally, the club — which unveiled the new Elevation Athletic Club in fall 2018 — has announced plans to further expand its fitness offerings with a new Aquatics Center, officials said. ClubCorp officials provided Patch with renderings of some of the planned work (see slide show above).

The Hills Signature Course modernization comes full circle as The Hills was the first golf course in Austin designed exclusively by Jack Nicklaus, officials noted in an advisory. The project which will enhance play, aesthetic value of the course and the condition of playing surfaces will begin at the end of this month and is slated to be complete by fall 2021, officials added.

“We are so excited to once again work with the world-renowned Nicklaus Design and to elevate the golf experience for members at The Hills,” John Woodeshick, ClubCorp senior vice president and general manager at The Hills of Lakeway, said in a prepared statement.

Chris Cochran, senior designer, Nicklaus Design, added: “This is one of Jack’s favorite courses. He fell in love with the property when he first visited and is excited about modernizing the course for today's golfer."

Improvements and changes to The Hills Signature Course include:

• Complete greens conversion to Champion Bermudagrass G12, which yields a higher tolerance to wear and tear and more blades per square inch bringing a smoother putting surface.
• Greens complex renovations, including putting surface, greenside bunkers and grass hollows, and slopes and shoulders.
• New tee boxes – laser-leveled and re-grassed with TifTuf Bermudagrass.
• Improved fairways regraded to improve drainage and playing surfaces and planted with TifTuf Bermudagrass.
• Updated irrigation system.
• Driving range renovation to include laser-leveled tees, new driving range Turfhound Tee Surface and new chipping and short game area.
• Restoration of the waterfall and creek.
• Additional tree work.

The club’s additional golf courses — Flintrock Falls, Live Oak, and Yaupon courses — will be open every day during construction of The Hills Signature Course.

In addition to the extensive golf course renovation, a new Aquatics Center, slated to open in summer 2021 includes:

• Junior-Olympic lap pool, heated for year-round use.
• Water feature for family pool enjoyment.
• Water slides.
• Expanded fitness programming.
• Resort-style furnishings and landscape.