Golf course architect Robert Cupp, who directed the renovation of Pecan Valley GC in 1998-99, preserved and, at times, enhanced the characteristic touches of the original designer, Press Maxwell -- such as ample greenside bunkering, as shown here at the 16th green, a 212-yard par 3.

Six shooters Rob Throne

The other American Golf facility in the GCSAA tournament rotation, Pecan Valley, is further testimony to that management company's resolve. In its fifth decade of operation on the city's old south side, Pecan Valley must be considered, turf-wise, the youngest of the tournament courses.

Basically, from tee to green, the playing surface of the 38-year-old venue will be just over a year old by tournament time. The facility underwent no less than a $6 million renovation in 1999, following years of disrepair as San Antonio's growth crept to the north. Heavily damaged during the flood that ravaged the city in '98, Pecan Valley simply was closed and the work began.

Also new at Pecan Valley is superintendent Rob Throne, who started last spring about five months after the course reopened. It's Throne's first shot at a head superintendent's position, and he's only been in golf course management five years, but he's been around the turf profession much longer than that. A native of southwest Texas, Throne spent time in the lawn-care business in the late 1980s and had a five-year hiatus in Tennessee selling fertilizer for Lesco.

Now in his second year of GCSAA membership, the 35-year-old Throne has compiled quite a résumé in a short time. He's another disciple of Oak Hills and spent a year at San Antonio's prestigious La Cantera Golf Club, where he learned tournament prep under the gun when that venue hosted the PGA Tour's 1999 Westin Texas Open.

Born again
Throne says he has benefited from the experience of top assistants Pat Hill and Ted Ferguson and other crew members who were on hand for Pecan Valley's new grow-in last year.

The renovation, Throne notes, definitely represents forward, superintendent-friendly thinking on the part of American Golf. The historic Press Maxwell layout that hosted the 1968 PGA Championship as well as three Texas Opens in the '60s was preserved for the most part by architect Robert Cupp. New greens and tees were built and the fairways re-grassed. A massive tree management undertaking allowed the return of rough turf, which had been nonexistent for years.

In all, about $4.5 million was spent on the course itself. The project also included a new clubhouse and maintenance facility.

"This is a huge endeavor for American Golf, returning a great piece of golf property to its former greatness," Throne says. "You could probably say we're a test case."

Thus far, all concerned seemed to have passed the test. The 7,000-yard layout still has Maxwell's renowned risk/reward flavor. The par 3s are all long; there are doglegs galore; and Salado Creek and assorted ponds are a presence on several holes. And, of course, there are Pecan Valley's trees, which include one huge oak estimated at 800 years old. They may be trimmed and spruced up, but they still command a lot of respect.

Pecan Valley has several risk/reward doglegs where huge trees guard the short route, like the 432-yard 15th.

Thus far, all concerned seemed to have passed the test. The 7,000-yard layout still has Maxwell's renowned risk/reward flavor. The par 3s are all long; there are doglegs galore; and Salado Creek and assorted ponds are a presence on several holes. And, of course, there are Pecan Valley's trees, which include one huge oak estimated at 800 years old. They may be trimmed and spruced up, but they still command a lot of respect.

Throne also points out that Pecan Valley's new TifEagle greens are not only well-bunkered, but comprise only 115,000 square feet in all.

Old-school gem
"This is a storied golf course with a lot of history behind it. It's a traditional golf course, and to me it's one of the best golf properties in the city," Throne says. "It'll be the one truly traditional golf course they (GCSAA) will play while they're here. And it'll be a tough test."

Depending on how it's set up for whatever flights it hosts, many of Throne's local colleagues believe Pecan Valley might be the toughest test in the GCSAA tournament rotation.

Slowly but surely Pecan Valley has returned to the limelight. It'll be the site of the 2001 U.S. Amateur Public Links championship next summer, and in the meantime it's coming under some very discerning scrutiny, you might say. In September, it hosted a tournament for superintendents from all over Texas, and members of the Texas Turfgrass Association are scheduled to play in an event there in December.

"Naturally, the GCSAA tournament is a big thing for us," Throne says. "And, we'll have a lot of keen exposure for our new turf by the time the event gets here. It'll be ready."