Darin Pearson, the superintendent at Eagle Bend Golf Course, talks about the new practice facility.

One of the most difficult things about attempting to solve the game of golf is that it can be difficult to recreate on-course challenges in a practice environment.

That might not be quite as tough for Lawrence golfers starting this summer thanks to Eagle Bend Golf Course superintendent Darin Pearson and his staff and supporters.

Pearson, now in his fifth year in charge of the ever-maturing course, has upgraded Eagle Bend’s practice facilities by adding a practice area just south of the driving range and north of the clubhouse. The new facility features an 11,000-square-foot putting surface, two practice bunkers, more than a half a dozen banks from which to chip and, perhaps most importantly, room to breathe.

Darin Pearson, the superintendent at Eagle Bend Golf Course, talks about the new practice facility.

Ryan Cloud, an assistant golf professional at Lawrence's Eagle Bend Golf Course, checks out one of two new sand bunkers.

“If you can think of it, we want you to be able to practice it,” Pearson said during a recent tour of the facility which is slated to open sometime mid-to-late summer. “We really wanted you to be able to reproduce every imaginable shot that you could encounter on the course.”

In a couple of instances, such as those encountered by golfers who like to — or perhaps need to — work on their shots from the sand traps, that thought has been taken literally. The two bunkers that surround the putting surface at Eagle Bend’s new practice facility are replicas of sand traps found on holes No. 9 and 16.

The spacious new practice setting, shaped with dirt that came from lowering the surface by six feet from the cart path near the driving range, was the result of a long-term vision by Pearson and some heavy lifting by the Eagle Bend staff, which chipped in to help keep costs down.

Pearson, who has led the charge to upgrade everything from the course’s fairways and greens to snack bar and pro shop, said he never imagined he would be able to dive into a project like this so quickly when he first took over. But the combination of wanting to continue to spruce up the course and emphasize Eagle Bend’s status as a learning center fast-tracked the idea. After selling the vision to Lawrence Parks and Rec director Ernie Shaw and assistant director Mark Hecker, Pearson and assistant superintendent Heath Bowman broke ground last November and gave the putting green its first seeding on April 1.

Eagle Bend Golf course has a new practice facility that features an 11,000-square-foot putting surface, two practice bunkers and more than a half a dozen banks from which to chip.

“I had to sell them the vision,” Pearson admits. “But it wasn’t that tough at all. They felt it was a need for this course and the community, and after they heard the plans, they were all-in.”

Added assistant golf professional Ryan Cloud: “This was a great vision by Darin. Not only is it a great facility and great for the course, but, just as important, it’s another great way to grow the game of golf in the community.”

Since Eagle Bend is Lawrence’s only city-owned golf course, that last part was crucial. Not only does Pearson hope the new facility will catch the eye of those driving across the dam at Clinton Lake, but he also hopes people in town will be inspired to load up their clubs and head out to the course for unlimited practice.

“What’s nice about it is, it’s free,” Pearson said. “Anybody in the community can come out here, with their own golf balls, and come out and work on any part of their game they want to work on.”

Pearson said the new facility’s proximity to the driving range also was key because it wound up creating what he called “a one-stop shop” for golfers who want to work on their game.

“We needed something that could attract the golfers who don’t always have four hours or two hours to play a full round,” Pearson said. “And this is just another step for us in moving toward our vision of what this place can be.

“Once everything matures, it’s going to be really nice.”