Construction is about to begin on the daily-fee Ridge Creek near Fresno

DINUBA, Calif. -- Construction on Ridge Creek Golf Club is scheduled to begin in the second half of 2006, with the new municipal course scheduled to open in 2008. The daily-fee Ridge Creek will become the first 18-hole course in its area in central California, about 30 miles south of Fresno.

The par-72 course will be designed by Scottsdale, Ariz.-based golf course architect John Fought.

KemperSports will serve as the construction and operations manager for the course, which will measure more than 7,000 yards from the back tees.

Fought, a two-time PGA Tour event winner and a former U.S. Amateur champion, has created new courses and renovations existing ones. Recently, he oversaw the remodeling of the famed Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club in Southern Pines, N.C.

Ridge Creek will be routed to take advantage of the scenic Central Valley mountain ranges, wildlife, and native vegetation. The course will incorporate native grasses and resemble the classic heathland courses of England, course officials said.

Along with the course, a clubhouse and a 360-degree practice facility will be built on the property.

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