Houston open officially moving to Memorial

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Despite not lengthening the course overall, the par-5 first will be become longer as the par-3 second hole moves farther south on the property. The short par-4 sixth will lose the pond and fountain currently in front of the green.

The same holds true for par-3 15th, which also has a pond and a fountain. The par-5 eighth, which currently is only 460 yards, will become significantly longer to become a true par 5. The ninth at Memorial, currently a par 4, will most likely become a par 3 in the new design by Tom Doak. To make room for a longer eighth, the par-4 ninth will be shortened into a par 3. The green on the ninth is very close to the Bush (family) Grove, which cannot be moved or encroached upon.

The par-4 18th hole, which is currently just 350 yards or so, will get another 100 yards or so in length when the tee is moved back toward where the 17th green currently is. In addition to the course, Doak's team is also responsible for designing the new First Tee facility as well as the practice areas at the course. The First Tee headquarters will go where the maintenance facility currently sits.

The maintenance facility will be relocated to another part of the golf course. As for the practice facilities, that work will come later, but included in the proposal is a two-tier lighted driving range that will increase from 54 to 80 stalls.

Before that work is started, however, the ranges, as well as the restaurant at Memorial, Becks Prime, are expected to remain open.

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