Architect Kris Spence has completed a renovation and redesign of the Country Club of Spartanburg (S.C.), one of the oldest courses in upstate South Carolina.
Although the course had a soft opening in December, Spence and his crews remained on-site through early May to enhance certain areas of the historic layout, which originally opened with nine holes in 1908 and was expanded to 18 in the early 1950s.
“Now that we’ve had a healthy grow-in period, golfers are able to experience the true renaissance of this classic course,” Spence said.
The project’s broad scope included the reconstruction of all greens, tees and bunkers, plus the installation of a new irrigation system. Substantial drainage improvements were implemented, coupled with a tree removal program to improve playing corridors and turf health.
Spence retained the layout’s overall routing. However, golfers will notice several green sites in new locations, while the angles of tee boxes have changed. The result is a more strategic course that takes full advantage of existing vistas, lakes and topographic features.
Some of the highlights include repositioning the second, third and fifth greens to integrate and expose a beautiful lake that existed on the property but was not in play. The seventh hole now begins from one of the property’s highest points and plays downward to the lowest point, while back-to-back short par-4s at Nos. 11 and 12 allow golfers to play over dramatic landforms and elevation changes.
Although the number of bunkers remains modest, each was strategically placed to challenge the golfer along the preferred lines and best angles into the greens, which are comprised of a new A-1/A-4 bentgrass blend that performs well in the heat and humidity of the Southeast.
“No two greens are alike. I like to give each its own personality, which makes it memorable,” said Spence. “In addition, this concept requires the player to learn the nuances of each green, thereby requiring greater imagination to execute the variety of shot options required.”
The new course measures 6,648 yards from the back tees and plays to a par of 72.