99 REPORT When Hurricane Helene swept through the southern United States in September 2024, western North Carolina was particularly affected, with the small mountain town of Banner Elk one of the places hardest hit. Flooding and fallen trees tore through the valley, damaging homes, infrastructure and Elk River Club, home to the first Jack Nicklaus Signature course in the state. The layout winds around Elk River, features more than 1,200 feet of elevation change and has the Blue Ridge Mountains serving as a backdrop on many holes. When Helene struck, however, the same mountainous terrain that Nicklaus Design had leveraged to create memorable holes turned against the course. Five greens were lost, drainage systems were overwhelmed and hundreds of trees were uprooted. In the aftermath, residents, members, staff and local crews came together to clear debris, rebuild structures and breathe new life into this onestoplight town. And rather than simply repairing what was damaged, the club saw an opportunity to enhance the course’s long-term future. Working from a masterplan developed by Nicklaus Design’s Chad Goetz, Elk River’s leadership committed to a full rebuild, reconstructing all tees, greens and bunkers, improving drainage, and implementing strategic refinements that had long been in discussion. “The Nicklaus Design team provided architectural continuity, ensuring that reconstruction work stayed true to the course’s original design intent, while the on-site maintenance team worked tirelessly to stabilise the property and initiate the long process of turf restoration,” says Toni Littleton, general manager at Elk River. Photo: Elk River Club Hurricane-hit Elk River Club has been revitalised following collaborative efforts from Nicklaus Design, Turfgrass and the local community. Rebuilding with resilience
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