Cottonwood Hills Golf Club Completes Course

Marriott Golf, in partnership with Cottonwood Hills, LLC, unveiled the final nine holes of the Nick Faldo-designed course at Cottonwood Hills Golf Club in Hutchinson, Kans. The initial nine opened in July 2006. Faldo, a six-time major champion, crafted the layout out of the natural sand dunes of Central Kansas.

"As golf sites go, this is an incredible piece of land," said Faldo, also the lead golf analyst for CBS Sports. "When I first visited Cottonwood Hills, I was immediately struck by the rugged sandy terrain that reminded me of the classic links land of the British Isles. There are also similarities to Pine Valley and Royal Melbourne in Australia so this has been a very interesting canvas on which to work.

"We were asked to create an exceptionally challenging but fair golf course that would offer a championship-standard test of golf," continued Faldo. "I think that our design perfectly responds to that brief and may have even exceeded it. In fact, I feel that we may have produced a golf course here at Cottonwood Hills that is truly worthy of hosting a major championship."

The daily-fee Cottonwood Hills occupies 620 acres of rolling native sand dunes. Complementing the beauty of the course are indigenous plants that frame each hole, while cedar, willow and cottonwood trees provide shade for the vast blue stem, yucca and plum thickets. The layout, which features over 70 bunkers, plays to a par 72 and offers five sets of tee boxes. The course measures 7,213 yards from the tips, with the other tees at 6,778 yards, 6,386, 5,858 and 5,372.

In addition to the course, a new practice facility is slated to be unveiled at Cottonwood Hills. Marriott Golf, which consulted on the design and construction of the course, now manages all aspects of the club's operation.

"We are very excited to unveil the final nine holes at Cottonwood Hills Golf Club," said Claye Atcheson, vice president of operations for Marriott Golf. "This facility not only makes an excellent addition to our portfolio of prestigious golf properties, but it further enhances the reputation for fine golf in the Hutchinson area."

For additional information about Cottonwood Hills, visit www.cottonwoodhills.net.