Architect Kris Spence completed renovation of Furman University Golf Course this month. The Greenville, S.C., course is expected to reopen for play in October. In addition to a complete redesign and reconstruction of the greens, Spence added a dozen fairway bunkers and new tees on five holes. An updated irrigation system was installed around the greens, which were resurfaced in Champion bermuda.
Westborough Country Club in suburban St. Louis has selected Trivers Associates for its multimillion dollar renovation. Key features of the plan include the renovation and expansion of the kitchen, a new gathering room, expanded outdoor dining, a full-service fitness center and new pool building. Improvements will take place in phases and are slated to begin in the fall with completion expected early spring 2009. Trivers is an architecture and design firm with locations in St. Louis, Mo. and Edwardsville, Ill.
Several golf facilities have received certifications from the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses. Starr Pass Country Club, located at JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa in Tucson, Ariz., achieved Audubon certification. This marks the 13th Marriott Golf managed property to receive this designation. Trinitas Golf Club in Valley Springs, Calif., has received certification in Environmental Planning from the ACSP. The plan was developed by superintendent John Jorgenson, who also was recognized for his effort to plan for environmental stewardship.
Orlando’s Hunter’s Creek Golf Club unveiled its new Kid’s Play Free program, which offers a free round of golf to golfers under age 18 when accompanied by a paying guest. “Even though junior golfers represent one of the fastest growing segments in the golf industry, access to playing the game continues to be a challenge,” says Phil Green, president of OB Sports, the management company directing operations at Hunter’s Creek Golf Club. “The ‘Kids Play Free’ program at Hunter’s Creek addresses this challenge by providing greater access for junior golfers and free golf to children who come out with their parents.”
Twenty Marriott-managed golf clubs are participating in a new golfer loyalty program called Marriott Golf Links, which allows Marriott Rewards members to both earn and redeem points for golf. Participating properties include:
La Iguana Golf Club, Costa Rica
Royal St. Kitts Golf Club, St. Kitts
Camelback Golf Club, Scottsdale, Ariz.
Cattails Golf Club, Kingsport, Tenn.
Crane’s Landing Golf Club, Lincolnshire, Ill.
Desert Springs Golf Resort, Palm Desert, Calif.
Doral Golf Resort, Miami
Grande Pines Golf Club, Orlando, Fla.
Grande Vista Golf Club, Orlando, Fla.
Griffin Gate Golf Club, Lexington, Ky.
Hawk’s Landing Golf Club, Orlando, Fla.
Seaview Golf Resort, Atlantic City, N.J.
Shadow Ridge Golf Club, Palm Desert, Calif.
Starr Pass Country Club, Tucson, Ariz.
Stone Mountain Golf Club, Stone Mountain, Ga.
The Frog Golf Club, Villa Rica, Ga.
The Rookery at Marco, Naples, Fla.
Westfields Golf Club, Clifton, Va.
Wildfire Golf Club, Phoenix, Ariz.
Willow Crest Golf Club, Oak Brook, Ill.
