One of my favorite courses in town, Rio Secco, is getting a facelift for its 20 year anniversary.

It’s no secret how much I love playing golf at Rio Secco. You can imagine my excitement when I recently stumbled upon the news about the renovation taking place, right now, at the course. I’m just a little behind on the news so bear with me on this one. But, from what I’ve found, it looks like earlier this month Rio Secco announced the project. Work on the renovation has already begun. They even added an update page on their website; Reno17

From the Rio Website here is a list of the improvements for the project:

WHAT’S BEING DONE?

• All putting surfaces are being replaced with new Dominant X-treme sod, with several of the green complexes being recontoured for increased playability and more enjoyment.
• All greenside bunkers will undergo major overhaul including new bunker sand throughout. Rees Jones’ team will also be reconfiguring and modernizing select bunkers on more than 10 holes.
• The practice facilities are being upgraded and enhanced. The practice range will be lengthened and widened with a fresh natural hitting surface. Gone will be the existing artificial line from daily play. Also, a new putting green is going in near the snack bar facility, and closer to the first & tenth tees. Lastly, the existing chipping green will be recontoured with the addition of a practice bunker.
• New forward tee complexes are going in on select holes, to increase the enjoyment of the player who struggles with forced carries.
• Other relatively minor renovations include but are not limited to: sod replacements on approaches and green complexes with the goal of eradicating poa annua; cart path repair and replacement; desert landscape maintenance targeting trees and bush overgrowth.
•  Minor and cosmetic projects in and around the clubhouse.
• Not considered renovations per se, but during the course closure, all service standards will be reviewed and refreshed where needed ensuring the customer service levels are improved as much and if not more than the golf course.

Making one of the best courses in town even better.

I cannot begin to explain how exciting this is for me. The best news I took from the renovation list was the practice facility is getting COMPLETELY redone. I mean completely! Head on over the Rio Secco Facebook Page and see some of the photos.

While I’ve always considered Rio Secco one of the top golf courses in Southern Nevada, the biggest negative of the course was the practice facility. Hitting off of mats for a top tier golf course is just not up to par with other properties in town so I can see why they have decided to make the change. It’s going to be a complete 180 from old practice area.

The Poa Annua grass has been invading the Vegas valley for a while, especially the courses with higher elevations. I talked with one of the employees out at Boulder Creek, a course in Boulder City, a few years ago, and he explained to me the only way to get rid of Poa Annua is to remove it by hand. That would take an enormous amount of time. I’m not sure if completely removing the green and rebuilding them is the more affordable option, but I’m thrilled to see the course is taking steps to ensure the best playing conditions they can.

When will Rio Secco return?

The course closed down on May 23rd, and the renovation is scheduled to be completed in September, with the course reopening in October. Four full months of destroying and rebuilding.

Rio Secco published a press release about the project. Here is a LINK to the article.

Rio Secco’s RENO17 is by far the best news of the year as far as I’m concerned.

Rio is a course I enjoy playing probably more than any other course in town. It hits all the key points I look for in a course. Location, staff, conditions, how does it play, scenery, etc. Rio has it all in my opinion so to know they’re taking it up a notch is great to hear. I for one am thrilled about the changes coming to the course and cannot wait for October to get here!

Be sure to follow their Facebook Page for updates, and I’ll do my best to provide you all with information as it comes to me.