New Changes At Kettle Hills

In the fall of 2013, Kettle Hills underwent some significant course changes and renovations. I recently, had the opportunity to chat with the new PGA Head Golf Professional, Garrett Mack. Below is a brief Q&A that details what is new for 2014.

Can you share with the readers, hole by hole the changes golfers will see when they return in 2014?
Changes have been made all over the Ponds/Woods course. The biggest changes are as follows:

Hole #2 is being changed from a fairly straight hole to a dogleg right to better reward those players who hit the fairway.

Trees have been removed on Holes #6 & #7 to provide a better view of the water hazards and make them more playable for the Ladies and Seniors.

Trees to the left of the 16th green have been removed to open up air circulation and help improve the health of the green and surrounding area.

Hole #18 has seen a massive reconstruction of the green complex which will make the green much more usable and golfer friendly. Trees have also been removed on the left side of the hole making the approach more playable and visually stunning as well.

More projects are planned for the Valley Course, but we are keeping secret and you will just have to wait to see them. Above is the latest picture of hole #18 after the redesign. We should be able to open it first thing this spring.

Any other new changes for 2014
New for 2014, we will be implementing numerous programs for Men, Women, and Juniors. For the men, we will be using the PGA Get Golf Ready program to start off the year. These are clinics of 4 or 5 sessions that will focus on different types of shots each week. We are even working on incorporating a fitness and nutrition aspect to the program with one of the local gyms.

The Diamonds in the Rough clinics will be our crowned jewel (excuse the pun) for the ladies programs this year. This program will be similar to the men's program, but include the playing of a few holes afterward. The great thing about this program is that it will promote having NO RULES!!! If your ball lands in the bunker and you don't want to play it, throw it out. Want to tee it up in the fairway, that's OK. This program will be about nothing more than socializing and having fun on the golf course, while trying to learn a game.

For the juniors we hope to put together a whole 6 or 7 week program that includes instruction and golf for 3,5,9, or 18 holes. We are also looking into putting together 2-3 day golf boot camps for high school players.

Do you sell memberships or have a gif card program? Tell me about what a golfer can buy for the 2014 season?
We do not offer memberships at this time. We do offer a promotional gift card program we call the Kettle Card. It is a $500 pre-loaded gift card that can be used for golf, food & beverage, and merchandise. The cost if this card is only $400, so we're giving $100 in FREE MONEY. We feel there is an advantage to buying Kettle Cards over a membership in that once a membership is paid, golf is all you get. If you had an injury or had to move shortly after buying a membership, most golf courses would say too bad. With the Kettle Card, not only can you use it for something else, like a new set of clubs, it is transferable, so can get something for the money you paid. Kettle Cards are on sale now and good through 12/24/2014.

We also sell gift cards which can be purchased for any amount, and they do not expire. Gift cards may also be used for Golf, F&B, and merchandise.


Anything else you would like to share?
Leagues and Outings are also something that we specialize in. We have a very popular senior league that has a shotgun start every Monday morning at 8:00. We also have many leagues that run Monday - Thursday early evening that are available for people to join. Kettle Hills is also a favorite destination for outings as we are typically able to find room for any size group due to the fact that we are a 45 hole facility. Our outing sizes range from 12 to 300 and can be customized many food & beverage options, along with many types of on-course games.

Should anyone need information about any of the programs, leagues, or outings they can contact me directly at gmack@kettlehills.com or in the Golf Shop at 262-628-0200.