Jeff Lawrence begins work at ‘hidden gem’ Pine Lake CC in Charlotte

Contractor Aspen Golf has started work on the Jeff Lawrence renovation of Pine Lake Country Club in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The course has not changed much since being built in the late 1950s by Gene Hamm, with only John LaFoy carrying out a renovation in 1988.

The Lawrence Golf Design masterplan was finalised in May 2022, and includes redesigning the green complexes, bunker upgrades, tee work, regrading, tree clearance, new drainage and a new irrigation system.

“Once the design documents were completed, a thorough review process was undertaken, including presentations, panel discussions and Q&A sessions, followed by a vote by the club’s membership,” Lawrence explained. “I was thrilled by the club’s openness to my recommendations and the enthusiastic embrace of the vision laid out in the masterplan. The club made the strategic decision to complete the renovation in one phase for greater efficiency and less long-term impacts to members.

“The primary goal of this renovation was to preserve the core design characteristics of the golf course while introducing a fresh, creative vision that would elevate both its strategic complexity and visual appeal. I’m excited by the prospect of offering the membership a course that combines greater variety, strategic depth and striking visual elements. I am confident these enhancements will position Pine Lake Country Club as one of the hidden gems in the Charlotte golf market.”

A key aspect of the project, which is being managed by Mazzella Partnership, is the redesign of greens. “The general location and elevation of most greens have been preserved but by expanding the greens we are able to create more strategic variety and accommodate a greater range of hole locations,” said Lawrence. “Alongside these functional improvements, visual aesthetics will play a key role to enhance the overall appeal while providing exceptional playing conditions.”

The greens, which will be converted from bentgrass to TifEagle bermuda grass – provided by New Life Turf – will be highlighted by Lawrence’s work around the putting surfaces. “The integration of creative bunkering, defined low mow collection areas and imaginative shaping will further highlight the new green complexes, elevating their impact on the course’s design,” he said. “The addition of sandcapped approaches and low mow areas will ensure firm playing conditions which is a creative byproduct of repurposing the old green’s mix.”

Lawrence’s plan includes the removal of bunkers, the renovation of some and the addition of new ones, all with the purpose of aiding playability, improving maintenance practices or ensuring the bunkers offer a challenge. This will be evident at the par-four tenth hole where a new bunker was added to create a more strategic tee shot from the new tee locations. G-Angle bunker sand from Golf Agronomics will be used to fill the bunkers.

Lawrence has also proposed new tees to offer Pine Lake members a greater variety of yardages. One of the new back tees – to test the longer hitters – is at the par-four ninth, with the new location extending the carry over water. While a new forward tee on the par-four fifth will offer golfers a 230-yard option, significantly shortening the hole for the higher handicap players.

Tree clearing is ongoing, notably on holes twelve, fourteen and fifteen. “This has enhanced aesthetics and allowed more sunlight to reach the turf areas,” said Lawrence. “An unexpected, but highly impactful addition to the project was the removal of power lines that had previously disrupted the visual flow on several holes.”

Lawrence will also oversee regrading partial fairways on holes four, eight and thirteen. “Sustainability and maintainability were also key considerations throughout the design process,” said Lawrence. “By implementing maintenance-friendly concepts, the course will remain both visually appealing and maintenance efficient. Technical aspects such as proper drainage, material selection, and high-quality construction methods have been carefully integrated to ensure long-term success.”

The renovation is expected to be completed by June 2025, with the course scheduled to reopen in early September.