Golf fairways aren’t usually considered works of art, but Missouri City residents can take pride knowing the Quail Valley Golf Course is being sculpted to precision by masters with a vision – and a schedule.

Construction is on track for the El Dorado course, where more than 190,000 cubic yards of earth have been moved to shape the golf holes according to the design of renowned course architect Jeffrey Blume.

The movement of the large volume of dirt will promote better drainage on El Dorado, where rain water used to build up because the property is so flat. Heavy rain this past weekend – including nearly eight inches of rain on April 18 – filled several of the course’s lakes, giving builders a better understanding of how the new drainage system will operate. With the new design, water will flow into drainage pipes and out to a water outlet – making El Dorado less problematic for homeowners along the course.

El Dorado is one of two 18-hole golf courses that comprise the Quail Valley Golf Course, which the City acquired in June 2008. The property’s other course, the La Quinta, re-opened on July 4, 2008.

Work on the drainage system for the first six holes on El Dorado is underway and greens construction has been completed on seven holes, Blume said. Irrigation work on the first three holes on El Dorado has also begun. The replacement of the irrigation system at La Quinta – which was included in the $5.5 million construction contract awarded in January – is expected to be finished in May.

“The weather this spring has allowed us to progress rapidly on this renovation,” Blume said. “With more than half the holes sculpted, construction on El Dorado is proceeding perfectly. Over the next two months, residents will be able to see the drainage and irrigation systems being tucked into place. When this renovation is complete, El Dorado will be a premiere golf course that can be enjoyed by all residents of Missouri City and beyond.”

The terrain on holes 1 through 10 is already formed to match Blume’s concept for those greens, tees, bunkers and other course features. Construction is expected to be complete by the end of July, with El Dorado ready for a grand re-opening later in the year.

The 200-acre El Dorado course is being built by Heritage Links of Houston, a division of Lexicon, Inc. The construction firm has built golf courses in Mexico, Asia, the Middle East, the Caribbean and the United States, including Chambers Bay, a Washington golf course that was named the No. 1 “Best New Public Golf Course” by Golf Magazine in January 2009 and is the destination for the 2010 U.S. Amateur and 2015 U.S. Open.

Construction on El Dorado has occurred in phases: First, bulldozers shape the land at each hole, according to the architect’s design. Blume then walks through each sculpted hole and suggests adjustments, from the shape of the mounds to the location of any hazards. Once a hole meets Blume’s approval, it is slightly dismantled to make way for the drainage system, irrigation and the construction of the golf course features. Finally, the hole is reassembled and grass is installed.

“Building a golf course is kind of like piecing a puzzle together,” Blume said. “Certain steps have to be taken first, so that the desired picture can come together.”

Nearly all of the old cart paths on El Dorado have been demolished, and the new path will be installed as construction progresses. The five miles of demolished cart path will be recycled by the City and Fort Bend County as material for erosion prevention projects.

Holes are expected to be finished in order, from one to 18. Once the holes are ready, grass will be installed at three or four holes at a time.

“This is a fantastic property that offers an outstanding recreational opportunity for all residents,” Blume said. “It is a wonderful project for everyone involved.”

On Nov. 4, 2008, 72 percent of Missouri City voters approved a $17.5 million bond referendum for the Quail Valley parks project. The City envisions creating a new community center, green space improvements and other fitness opportunities on the 400-acre property, in addition to the golf course renovation.

For more information on the Quail Valley Golf Course, visit www.golfquailvalley.com or www.missouricitytx.gov.