Thirty years after opening, the South Course at Forest Creek Golf Club, in Pinehurst, N.C., has reopened following a seven-month restoration led by Tom Fazio and Fazio Design.
The project was designed to preserve the character and strategic identity of the original course, while renewing its infrastructure, agronomic foundation and playing surfaces for the decades ahead.
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“The design has stood the test of time, but it was time to go back to the guts, rebuild some parts and refresh other parts,’’ Fazio said. “I’m as excited about this updated golf course. as I was when we first opened in 1996.”
The restoration included complete reconstruction of the greens and bunkers, significant irrigation improvements, enhancements to tees, extensive drainage installation, selective tree removal to improve sunlight and airflow, and replacement of the original bentgrass greens with TifEagle ultra-dwarf Bermuda.
Drainage was a major priority of the project. Approximately 14 miles of drainage pipe were installed throughout the property, making drainage one of the most significant infrastructure investments of the project. More than 700,000 square feet of sod and approximately 4,200 bushels of bermudagrass sprigs were used throughout the course.
The work began this past March and continued through September, with a team of approximately 30 to 40 people working six days a week. Fazio Design associates Ron Smith and Blake Bickford each were on site throughout the project, continuing a connection to the South Course that began with its original construction in the 1990s.
The restoration brought together Forest Creek’s agronomy and golf teams, led by Director of Agronomy Connor Moser and Director of Golf and Athletics T.J. Boulanger, along with Agronomic Advisors co-founder Dave Delsandro and LaBar Golf, whose team led the construction effort and was instrumental in bringing the restoration from design to completion.
“The South Course has always meant something special to our members,” Club Owner Robert McCann said. “It’s more than a golf course to them. It’s where they’ve made memories, shared experiences and built a connection to Forest Creek. Our goal was to respect what makes the South Course special while giving it the foundation it needs for the next 30 years.”
The South Course was the first of Forest Creek’s two Fazio courses, opening in 1996. The North Course followed in 2005. While both courses share the same architect and the natural setting of Pinehurst, each has its own character and style.
“The great terrain, the tree cover, the elevation changes, the sandy soils, the golf history of the area – you’re talking about an ideal situation from the day we planted the first shovel,” Fazio said. “Now with the South Course updated, I can’t imagine a stronger 36-hole facility.”
For McCann, the reopening represents the culmination of years of investment and planning in Forest Creek. McCann is the majority owner of Colony 9, which was formed in December 2017 and acquired Forest Creek Golf Club.
“We’ve been building toward this since the purchase,” McCann said. “We have a talented management team and members who are passionate about Forest Creek. We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished, and we’re looking forward to seeing the South Course enjoyed by our members.”
Photo Credit: Ryan Montgomery