Troy Miller is to renovate South Carolina’s Charleston Municipal Golf Course in a US$3 million project that will begin in December 2019.
Miller said that, while the primary goal is to improve the playing conditions of the course, this project provides the opportunity to tell the story of a historic course situated in a historic city.
“Charleston Municipal Golf Course was built in 1928, following the construction of Seth Raynor’s Yeamans Hall Club and The Country Club of Charleston,” Miller explained. “While Raynor did not have a hand in the design of ‘The Muni’, the only examples of golf in Charleston at that time were Raynor’s courses.
“Many common elements of Raynor’s designs will be incorporated into the course through this renovation. Additionally, the project will ensure the integrity of the course for years to come by addressing drainage concerns brought on by rising tides in the Lowcountry of South Carolina. This will be achieved by expanding some ponds and elevating the holes along the Stono River out of the floodplain. The by-product will be expansive views of the Stono River from the time you reach the eleventh tee until you complete play on the short par-four seventeenth. In the end, what we hope to achieve is a golf experience that is maintainable, visually appealing, and challenging to every level of player.”
The scope of work includes the regrassing of fairways and tees, USGA specification greens construction, rebuilding of all bunkers and the expansion of some ponds on the course. “There will also be extensive root pruning and tree management done through the course of this project,” Miller said.
Miller’s renovation of the 18-hole course will be carried out one nine at a time in order to maintain playability throughout the construction phase.
“There are many throughout the Charleston area who care deeply about the Muni and want to see it achieve its full potential,” said Miller. “As a native Charlestonian who grew up playing the course, I’m honoured and excited to have the opportunity to contribute to this worthwhile endeavour.”
Mayor of Charleston John Tecklenburg announced the renovation project. “There’s no question that the Muni has long been considered one of our city’s most cherished public spaces, serving as a destination for residents of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels to share and to grow their love for the game of golf,” he said during a press conference. “With more than 50,000 rounds played annually, this renovation will help us ensure that the course is played and enjoyed for many years to come.”
The city will use recreation bond proceeds to pay its US$1.5 million share of the total renovation cost, with an additional US$1 to US$1.5 million being raised privately through a fundraising campaign co-chaired by former Kiawah Island developer Leonard Long and current Kiawah Development Company partner Jordan Phillips.