Peeling Back the Turf: Barracuda Championship at Tahoe Mountain Club

This week we have the Barracuda Championship at Tahoe Mountain Club, a premier event on the PGA TOUR taking place from July 18-21, 2024, in the stunning setting of Truckee, California. This year's tournament promises to be a thrilling showcase of top-tier golf, set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Hosted at the renowned Old Greenwood course, designed by Jack Nicklaus, the championship will feature a challenging layout and pristine conditions meticulously maintained by the dedicated team led by Director of Agronomy, Joe Valente. Get ready for an exciting week of golf at one of the tour's most picturesque and demanding venues!

Meet the Director of Agronomy

Joe Valente, GCSAA

Years as GCSAA Member: 10
Years at Tahoe Mountain Club: 13 (2 as director)
Years as a Superintendent: 6
Previous Courses: The Golf Club at Gray’s Crossing
Hometown: Franklin, Massachusetts
Education: St. Joseph’s of Maine / UMass Amherst

Course Details

Par: 71 (35-36)
Yardage: 7,480
Stimpmeter: 11
Average Green Size: 5,300 sq. ft.
Acres of Fairway: 32
Acres of Rough: 55
Number of Sand Bunkers: 95
Number of Water Hazards: 6
Soil Conditions: Native mountain soils, rocky
Water Sources: Well, aquifer
Drainage Conditions: Good

Key Personnel

Assistant Superintendent (Old Greenwood): Brad Luttrell
Superintendent (Gray’s Crossing): Dave Martin
Assistant Superintendent (Gray’s Crossing): Colin Lee
Head Mechanic: Eli Fraser
Director of Golf: Travis Alley
Number of Employees: 17
Number of Tournament Volunteers: 26
Golf Course Dog: Louis, 5-year-old Vizsla

Turfgrass

Greens: Bentgrass / Poa annua (.100”)
Collars: Bentgrass / Poa annua (.350”)
Approaches: Bentgrass / Poa annua (.350”)
Tees: Bentgrass / Poa annua (.360”)
Fairways: Bentgrass / Poa annua (.360”)
Rough: Bluegrass (2.5”)

Course Architect

Architect: Jack Nicklaus (2004)

Social Media

Superintendent: @JoeValente12
Tournament: @CudaChamp
GCSAA: @GCSAA

Additional Notes

Bunker Renovations: New sand has been added to almost every bunker.
Ice Removal: Ice was removed from greens twice this year, just before Christmas and on February 1.
Elevation: The course is just below 6,000 feet; frost can occur every month of the summer, and temperature swings of 50 degrees are common.
Rainfall: The course receives little to no rain in the summers; wetting agents are essential.
Wildlife Challenges: Pocket gophers, voles, and moles are significant problems.
Maintenance: In 2020, banks on water edges on holes 10, 11, 14, and 15 were shaved to primary cut.

FULL TOURNAMENT FACT SHEET: CLICK HERE