01-07-10 15:06

Rich Harvest Farms produces top conditions for the 2009 Solheim Cup Matches

By BERNHARD MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS

Rich Harvest Farms, a private golf club in Sugar Grove, Ill., has a unique history. It began with six greens with each hole having three different approach angles to comprise an 18-hole course. In 1997, owner Jerry Rich transformed it into an18-hole course as an expansion from the original. One of its better known holes is the 13th "Devil's Elbow," which features what's billed as "one of the most intimidating tee shots in golf" with its tree-lined tee and fairway.

In 2009, the top U.S.-born LPGA players hosted the best European-born players from the Ladies European Tour in The Solheim Cup at Rich Harvest Farms.
The Solheim Cup is named in honour of Karsten Solheim, and his family, the makers of PING golf equipment. The Solheim Cup is the most prestigious international team event in women’s professional golf. It is a biennial, trans-Atlantic team match-play competition featuring the best U.S.-born players from the LPGA and the best European-born players representing the Ladies European Tour (LET).
In preparing the golf course, GCSAA Class A superintendent Jeff VerCautren sought input from team captains Beth Daniel and Alison Nicholas. VerCautren re-did a few tees and bunkers in preparation for the event, but their biggest challenge was the weather, which went from record rain to 90-degree heat.

With the support of club members and monthly onsite visits from LPGA Tour Agronomist John Miller, VerCautren’s staff was undaunted by Mother Nature’s challenges, working 14-hour days most of the summer and clocking thousands of overtime hours in the advance weeks to bring the bentgrass/Poa annua greens to pristine condition.

Working alongside VerCautren was Ernie Cruz, Equipment Manager at Rich Harvest Farms. Having previously worked with the PGA Tour for 6 years in Florida, Cruz knew what he had to do to be well prepared for the heat, weather and expectations for such a prestigious event.

“We were grinding our greens mowers everyday during the tournament and all other mowers once a week prior to the tournament”, said Cruz.

“Jeff wanted every cutting unit razor sharp every day.”

Jerry and Betty Rich's dream began when a small bit of the farm they had built gave way to one golf hole and a practice area. Then three holes, then six.

Inspired by Augusta and the encouragement of friends Bob Murphy and Sam Snead, Jerry Rich completed 18 holes in 1997.

Within five years Rich Harvest Farms was ranked 5th Best New Private Course in the U.S., beating out designs from Nicklaus, Dye and Wieskopf, and a Top 100 pick. In the "condition" category, it was ranked 2nd Best New Course in the country.

It was the sublime conditioning of Rich Harvest Farms that attracted the attention of the LPGA and the Solhiem Cup Committee.

Bernhard and Company have been a part of the maintenance facility at Rich Harvest Farms since its development.

Ernie Cruz added, “I have been using Express Dual and Anglemaster grinders since the beginning of my career.”

“Unlike other brands that are over engineered, Express Dual and Anglemaster grinders are simple to use and very dependable. Doesn’t matter if it’s for tournament use or everyday use, the grinders are perfect for us.”

Bernhard tournament support specialist Jacqui Full was on-hand the entire week to support Ernie and his team, keeping the mowers on cut and razor sharp.

“Jacqui gave us great support and shared many of her experiences in major tournaments all over the country”, said Cruz.

The mystique of the course and even of Jerry Rich is something that is frequently talked about. Many fans were just happy to be able to get a chance to see the course which is off limits to just about everyone on the planet.

One fan remarked; "The course is absolutely beautiful. Very well maintained, very prestigious, it felt like I was peeking into a privileged world.”

For more information on Rich Harvest Farms, visit www.richharvestfarms.com.


Related news: