The Oaks Country Club to begin large renovation

 The Oaks Country Club in west Tulsa, a 1922 design by A.W. Tillinghast, will begin renovations of all 18 greens in June. Bill Bergin, a golf course architect from Atlanta and high school teammate of Bob Tway, will oversee the renovation, which will include the lengthening of three holes and a new six-hole par-3 course.
 
Oaks Country Club members voted overwhelmingly to accept an $80 dues increase to fund the $4 million project, which also includes some swimming pool improvements, bunker renovations as well as cart path improvements.
 
Bergin was one of six architects considered and Oaks Head Professional Rick Reed said simply had the best plan for the venerable course.
 
Greens will be removed down to the gravel core and rebuilt with new drainage and mix. The greens will be restored to bent grass, though the variety is still under discussion.
 
Bergin is studying old photos and records to try to restore the greens and bunkers to as much of the size and style that Tillinghast used as possible.
 
The two par-5s on the front nine will be lengthened by having the greens moved back 50 to 70 yards. The green on the 10th hole, a diagonal par-4 over a large pond, will also be moved back, while the teeing area will be moved up some 30 yards to lessen the need to cut the tee shot dramatically.
 
The six-hole pitch-and-putt course will use hybrid Bermuda greens and be ideal for children, families or golfers looking to settle a bet after their round. Holes will be 40 to 80 yards. Work will begin immediately on this facility.
 
The main course will remain open with temporary greens during much of the construction. The schedule calls for new greens to be seeded in September and reopened in May, 2015.