‘Best Bunker Liner’ ZLine Selected for TPC Craig Ranch Rebuild

TPC Craig Ranch is preparing to reopen in December following a $22 million, fast-track rebuild that has reshaped the course’s strategy, defenses, and infrastructure. A notable part of the renovation is the installation of the ZLine bunker liner system, chosen for its drainage performance and ease of long-term maintenance.

The project—led by Hall of Famer Lanny Wadkins and architect Kurt Bowman—began just two days after the final putt dropped at this year’s CJ Cup Byron Nelson. Aspen Corporation handled construction, completing extensive earthworks on six holes, along with full bunker and green-complex rebuilds, and the addition of new waste bunkers.

Originally designed by Tom Weiskopf with DA Weibring, the course opened in 2002 and is part of the Invited Clubs portfolio. The redesign introduces more aggressive bunkering and significantly contoured greens. Bowman highlighted several standout features: a modified Biarritz at the fourth, a short par-four sixth protected by a Lion’s Mouth bunker, and an Augusta-inspired green on the eleventh.

“Players will still have room off the tee, but approaches are going to be much more demanding,” Bowman said. “When you’re out of position, this new design will definitely make you work.”

Why ZLine Was Selected

Invited Clubs’ SVP of Agronomy Jay Abbott oversaw the project and emphasized the performance needs of the new bunkers.

“The bunkers are relatively small and require hand raking, so holding sand on faces and ensuring drainage are critical,” Abbott said. “In my opinion, ZLine is the best bunker liner on the market right now.”

Bowman, who has used the system on recent builds, added that its drainage capabilities and ease of future repair were significant factors. “Every course will need bunker work again eventually,” he said. “When that time comes, I’d rather not be jackhammering out a rigid system.”

About Zline Bunker Systems

ZLine Bunker Systems has created the ideal solution to never-ending course maintenance issues and one of the most common complaints from golfers: poor bunker quality. We give your golf club the opportunity to drastically reduce the amount of labor and material costs associated with maintaining sand traps. This results in savings for the club, while golfers gain an improved experience with consistently well-maintained, clean, high-quality bunkers.

Our systems provide a complete solution for the protection of your golf course bunkers. Our system is an accumulation of years of trials and testing to deliver the best dollar-for-dollar liner system available: industry leading protection that provides complete bunker cavity protection without compromise. The benefits of our systems are not only proven to protect your bunkers, they also create a yearly savings that will pay for the system in a short number of years.