Golf Course Renovation

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Question: When will the project begin and be completed?
Answer: The golf course will officially close for the season on September 2, with all renovation work expected to be completed by Spring 2026. Please note that the first herbicide application to eliminate the existing turf will begin on Monday, August 25, followed by a second application on Thursday, August 28. The course will be closed on August 28 to allow for the second application that will provide a head start on the re-seeding process.

 

Question: Why are we re-seeding and inter-seeding the golf course?
Answer: While our agronomy team has done an outstanding job maintaining the turf, the fairways have gradually been impacted by turf diseases and a mix of seed varieties over the years. After 33 years, re-seeding and inter-seeding are essential to preserve the championship-quality playing conditions our members expect.

 

Question: What type of grass will be used, and what are its benefits?
Answer: We will be using a blend of 007XL and 777 Super Bentgrass, a premium variety known for its drought tolerance, disease resistance, and superior playability for the fairways and greens.  The tee boxes will be sodded with Low Mow Bluegrass which is—the same variety successfully introduced on the upper and lower tier range tee boxes over the past two years."

 

Question: I’m sorry, I don’t have a PhD in agronomy, so I have no idea what 007XL and 777 Super Bentgrass means. Can you please explain this in layman’s terms?
Answer: Per Greg Jones, “007XL and 777 are the variety names of the turf. They are developed from parent turfgrasses to provide a superior Super Bentgrass that has all the qualities for championship courses. They grade out on a scale used in the turf industry and score almost 5 times better than the previous turf used.”

 

Question: What are we doing to the tee boxes?
Answer: We will be laser-leveling and then sodding the tee boxes using the latest turf technology. The chosen variety is Low Mow Bluegrass, the same type we've successfully introduced on the upper and lower driving range tees over the past two years. This grass provides a dense, attractive surface that withstands foot traffic and delivers a consistent teeing area for golfers.

 

Question: Why are we inter-seeding the greens and not re-seeding them?
Answer: Per Greg Jones, “Re-seeding areas that have a lot of foot traffic, like tees and greens, takes a lot longer time frame to mature than we have during this renovation. Opening the course in the spring with improved course conditions is the main goal.”

 

Question: Can you share the chemicals being used to kill the grass in the fairways?
Answer: Yes—our team is using a liquid application of Glyphosate to remove the existing turfgrass in the fairways only. Glyphosate is one of the most extensively studied herbicides in the world and has consistently been shown to be non-carcinogenic when used as directed. This treatment will allow us to start with a clean slate for re-seeding and ensure optimal growing conditions for the new turf varieties.

 

Question: Who will administer the chemicals being used?
Answer: Greg Jones and his agronomy team will be responsible for applying the herbicide. All team members are licensed by the state of Nebraska and fully trained in proper application procedures. Their work follows strict EPA guidelines and GCSAA Best Management Practices.

 

The application will be limited to fairways and performed with GPS-guided sprayers to ensure precision and eliminate the risk of overspray or drift. Glyphosate will only be applied under favorable weather conditions to ensure safety, effectiveness, and compliance with local regulations. Once dry, Glyphosate becomes inactive on surfaces and will not transfer to other areas. As shared previously, this treatment is strictly focused on removing the existing turfgrass in the fairways while protecting all surrounding areas.

 

Question: How big of a deal is the creek/lake portion of the renovation for the golf course?
Answer: It’s a huge deal! We have been working with various government entities (including the City of Omaha, the Papio-Missouri River NRD, the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy, the US Army Corps of Engineers, and others) for years to create a permanent stabilization solution for the creek, and expansion, both in depth and area, of the lake.

 

Question: Why is creek stabilization important, and who will handle the project?
Answer: Creek stabilization is essential for reducing erosion, improving water quality, and restoring the natural ecosystem of the creek. The project will involve erosion control measures and the installation of native vegetation, including the removal of many volunteer trees that have contributed to the destabilization of the creek banks. This effort is being led in partnership with the City of Omaha through an interlocal agreement, with Embris Group serving as the engineering firm overseeing the project.

 

Question: What is the purpose of the lake restoration?
Answer: The lake restoration is essential for maintaining our primary irrigation water source. The project will include a forebay clean-out to manage silt buildup, restoring the lake to its original footprint while improving both its functionality and aesthetics.

 

Question: Will the driving range be available during the renovation process?
Answer: Yes! To ensure the driving range remains available this fall we leveled and re-sodded both tiers with Low Mow Bluegrass.  This work was completed last year so the range is fully operational during the re-seeding and creek stabilization projects.

 

Question: Will the practice facility be available during the renovation process?
Answer: Other than the driving range, no. The short game practice facility and putting greens will be closed for renovation, as this area will be reseeded with the same grass as the fairways and greens on the course.

 

Question: These projects sound exciting—will I be able to tour the course?
Answer: The golf course will be closed beginning September 2 and will remain closed for the entire renovation, reopening in early Spring 2026. As it will be an active construction site, access must be restricted for safety reasons, this includes walkers and dogs.

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Sports Complex Renovation (2024/2025 FAQ)

Project Completed July 2025

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Question: How will you pay for these improvements?
Answer: Through the Capital Dues program that is currently in place.  Social Members will continue to pay $40 per month and Golf Members will continue to pay $60 per month. 

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Question: When will the project begin and be completed?
Answer: Construction will begin on October 1, 2024, with an expected completion by June 2025, weather depending.

 

Question: Who are the companies handling the construction?
Answer: MCL Construction will serve as the General Contractor for the project. McConnell & Associates from Kansas City will install the playing surfaces for the tennis and pickleball courts.

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Question: Will the new Sports Complex, including the year-round Pickleball Building, be open to the public?
Answer: No, all guests must be accompanied by a member of Champions Run. 

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Question: Didn’t we just redo the tennis courts last year? Why are we rebuilding them?
Answer: We resurfaced the tennis courts last year in hopes that a “band-aid approach” would suffice, but unfortunately issues have started to show. The members of Champions deserve better, so we are tearing out all the existing courts, which sit on asphalt, and are replacing them with courts which sit on post-tension concrete. Post-tension concrete offers a more stable playing surface, reduces cracking, and requires less maintenance. This upgrade will enhance ball bounce and significantly improve playability.

 

Question: When the project is completed, how many tennis courts and pickleball courts will there be?
Answer: There will be four dedicated tennis courts, and six dedicated pickleball courts.

 

Question: We are going from five tennis courts to four, so will there be less available court time?
Answer: There will be substantially more court time available for tennis due to the fact that we are building six dedicated pickleball courts, and the two sports will no longer “share” courts.

 

Question: What will the pickleball building look like?
Answer: In addition to providing year-round shade, playability and allowing the Champions staff to create new and exciting programming, the Pickleball Building is going to look awesome! It will peak at 23’ in height, have large fans and a dozen roll-up doors for warm weather months, and will be very aesthetically pleasing.  The building will also have heaters for cold weather months. We will share renderings of the building shortly.

 

Question: Will I be able to host private events in the Pickleball Building?
Answer: Yes, members will be able to host private events in the building.

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Question: Why will the building only house pickleball, and not tennis as well?
Answer: It’s a space issue. A tennis court simply takes up too much real estate, and it would therefore be an inefficient use of space. In addition, to properly serve as a tennis facility, the ceiling clear height would need to be 45’. We do not want to build a 4-story building on top of our tennis courts.

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Question: Will the sports court be all-purpose, and what is its function?
Answer: Tennis Court #1 (now known as Kraken Court) will be converted into a turf-covered all-purpose court for various recreational activities, including basketball, soccer, volleyball, 4-square, and cornhole. The turf is designed for safety with shock-absorbing properties and will extend to the adjacent playground. So yes, please tell your kids that the existing black playground padding is being replaced with new playground turf.

 

Question: Will the sports court be open in the fall and spring when the pool is closed?
Answer: Yes! The sports court will be open when the weather allows it to be and will not be limited to only the days when the pool is open.

 

Question: I love the bar, why are you changing it?
Answer: Everyone loves the bar, and that’s why we are expanding and upgrading it! The new bar will provide additional shade and seating options.