The Deer Creek course at the Landings Club in Georgia, USA, is undergoing a US$7.7 million renovation project.

Tom Marzolf of Fazio Design, the course’s original architect, is handling the rebuild. Changes include recontouring of fairways to aid drainage and run-off; planting of shade and drought-tolerant Celebration bermudagrass on fairways; reshaping and enlargement the greens with closely-mown collection areas that will present the golfer a variety of shot options around the green and resprigging the greens with TifEagle and collars with TifDwarf Bermuda. When complete, the course will have five sets of tees stretching from 7,236 to 5,015 yards. A new irrigation system is also being added.

“We are excited that Tom Marzolf has returned to Deer Creek to handle this renovation project,” said Alan Gamble, general manager of the Landings Club. “Enhancing our six courses for optimum play and member enjoyment has always been a focus and a priority at the Landings and we have invested heavily in the renovation and aggressive maintenance of our facilities.”

Another emphasis will be the expansion of the Deer Creek practice range. Marzolf will add two short game practice areas as well as enlarging the driving range. “When Deer Creek reopens in October, golfers will experience a completely new course that matches the evolution of the game since the course opened in 1991,” the architect said. “Golf clubs, golf balls and turf care technology has been improved dramatically and we’ve redesigned Deer Creek to match the scientific advances in the game. We rebuilt Deer Creek with improved drainage techniques, new shade tolerant grasses, more tee space, repositioned fairway bunkers, new hole location options on larger, more receptive greens and an improved drainage system.”