A revamped PLAYERS Stadium Course at the TPC Sawgrass, which re-opened Monday, is expected to offer a grander and more complete experience for both the world’s best players who compete in THE PLAYERS Championship and for the thousands of resort guests who annually visit one of the most popular golf destinations.

“It was a significant undertaking any way you want to look at it,” says David Pillsbury, president of PGA TOUR Golf Course Properties. “The bottom line is we’ve taken a masterpiece and enhanced it and made it better.”

In conjunction with the official unveiling of the new-look Stadium Course, Pillsbury shared his thoughts on the process of the makeover and the end result with PGATOUR.com Senior Correspondent Dave Shedloski.

Q: Talk generally about the renovation, the primary impetus for it and what was done.

Pillsbury: Initially, the project began in 1999-2000 as a renovation of the golf course, but it expanded exponentially when all the different constituencies that are impacted by THE PLAYERS Championship were considered. The objective was to elevate the PLAYERS and prepare ourselves for the next 25 years of great moments at the TPC Sawgrass, and we had to make some adjustments so that the golf course would play the way we think it should on a consistent basis.

We also decided that at the same time we wanted to build a new clubhouse, something that would complement one of the world’s best courses, and we think we will have that. The clubhouse simply adds a dimension of presence and magnificence that was not there before. You can see the new structure from 12 holes. We will now have an iconic golf course with an iconic clubhouse. It all makes for a truly impacting statement.

Q: Can you talk about the specific changes?

Pillsbury: We made a number of subtle design changes to restore shot values that had been lost over time, but the golf course renovation was dramatic under the surface as well, probably more so than above.

We removed 68,000 tons of old soil and brought in the equivalent of seven miles of dump trucks of sand and installed 22 miles of additional drainage. We put in 2.6 million cubic feet of sod (419 Bermudagrass). The greens were rebuilt to USGA specifications and a sub-air vacuum system under the greens is going to allow us to retain firm and fast conditions after it rains or return to them faster after it rains.

As far as the design changes, they were mostly around the greens, some softening of greens, contouring, and (changes to) some collection areas behind some greens. We did make the golf course slightly longer. We added about 140 yards. The landing areas were extended so that the downslopes in the fairways were moved out and are not a specific advantage to longer hitters. That balances the golf course and keeps it more of a shot-maker’s course.

I can go around the golf course with some other specifics: No. 1 was lengthened; there were bunkers added on No. 7, we added trees left of the ninth fairway; there was length added on the 11th; we rebuilt and redesigned the green and added a new front right pin position on No. 12; at No. 13, we softened the green slightly; No. 14 we added a bit of length and extended the downslope in landing area; at No. 15 we made the bunker more challenging; No. 16 we added length; at No. 17 we softened the green slightly, took out about an inch of slope from off the back; and on No. 18 trees were added on the right and the tee was pushed back a little.

I should add here that Pete Dye was here with us every step of the way. He was here every week to oversee the process. That was so important.

Q: How do the changes affect how the course plays?

Pillsbury: Our overriding objective was to have a golf course that would play firm, fast and fair more consistently for our players. We think these are the optimum conditions for providing the best test possible. That’s a great thing about THE PLAYERS is that anyone can win the tournament, and we’ve done things to ensure that should continue.

Q: Are you happy with the end result?

Pillsbury: We’re delighted. When we get to THE PLAYERS we want the week to be about the tournament and not about the golf course, and we think that’s what we accomplished. We enhanced the character of this golf course. We’ve taken a masterpiece and enhanced it and made it better.

Q: Have any players seen it, and what is their reaction?

Pillsbury: A number of players have seen it. Many are going to see it this week. Fred Funk (2005 PLAYERS Championship winner) spoke at our PAC meeting about it. Among other things, he said, “it’s a great project, a great plan that came together.” We anticipate that the overall reaction is going to be just as positive.

Q: What changes are most visible?

Pillsbury: A couple of things. One, the practice facility is dramatically improved. It’s fabulous. I think people will notice the fact that we removed the mound behind No. 1; you can look all the way down the No. 1 fairway. The new bunkers, three of them, on No. 7 will be obvious. They will notice the added length on No. 11, the greens complex that we changed on No. 12. At No. 18 the hills around the tee have been reconfigured. They are a bit lower. We’ve actually changed a lot of the spectator mounding. Fans will definitely notice it; it’s more fan-friendly overall.

Q: What changes will be most beneficial to the resort golfer?

Pillsbury: Well, there’s a long list, I think. Start with the upgrade that is underway at the Marriott: $33,000 per room they are spending on improvements that will be done in January. Then there’s the TOUR Academy structure and programs, state-of-the-art teaching, fitting, golf schools that are on the level of what the TOUR players would enjoy. That should be valued by resort golfers. The caddie program is going to change the experience, and the clubhouse really adds to the aura and mystique of the place. All in all, the experience is going to be second to none.