City of Dinuba Moving Forward on New Golf Course

The City Council of Dinuba, Calif., is proceeding with its plans for a new municipal golf course. The area's first-ever 18-hole layout will be named Ridge Creek Golf Club.

The course will be designed by Scottsdale, Ariz.-based John Fought. KemperSports will serve as the construction and operations manager for the project.

The par-72 track will measure more than 7,000 yards from the tips. Fought, a two-time winner on the PGA Tour and a former U.S. Amateur champion, brings considerable experience to both new projects and renovations of existing courses. He recently oversaw the remodel of Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club in Southern Pines, N.C.

The daily-fee layout, located approximately 30 miles south of Fresno, will take advantage of California's scenic Central Valley mountain ranges, abundant wildlife, and native vegetation. The course will incorporate native grasses and resemble the classic heathland courses of England.

"We have the optimal team in place to establish Dinuba as a golfing community," said Ed Todd, Dinuba city manager. "In conjunction with KemperSports' management team, we plan to create a public golf experience that enhances our city's recreational image and attracts players spanning the San Joaquin Valley."

Construction of Ridge Creek Golf Club is scheduled to start in the second half of 2006. A clubhouse will be built alongside a 360-degree practice facility. KemperSports will assume operations management upon the course's opening in 2008.