"I think the original intent was to replace the greens with something a little more winter hardy. We had some real issues here coming out of winter over the years with old push up greens," says Laconia Country Club Superintendent Tom DiFonzo, CGCS, describing the renovation to the 85-year-old New Hampshire course. "They also wanted to add some tees instead of having everyone play from the same spot. The third goal was to lengthen the course. Somewhere along the way it became a complete regrass. How that developed I really don't know, nor do I care, I'm just glad it did. That's why we're in the situation we're in now, everything has been redone tee to green on every hole: fairways, roughs, bunkers, irrigation, drainage. They didn't leave a stone unturned; it's been awesome. My only regret is I never saw the old course, so I go by the legends, but I haven't heard any complaints. I've heard from locals who enjoyed the old course, but I haven't heard anyone say, 'why'd we do this?'"
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