Renaissance Golf Club in Haverhill, Mass. announced May 18 that they are open despite the record 15-inch rainfall that fell over the last eight days and devastated much of the region. The course escaped davy damage, even though it lies adjacent to the Merrimack River, which swelled and caused flooding during the rain storm.
"We are very pleased with how the course responded to the weather," says developer and chairman Paul Quinn. "The $7 million we invested for state-of-the-art technology and drainage worked beautifully. The specialty soils we used below all the fairways allowed the rain to drain quickly. We are moving ahead as planned with putting the finishing touches on the new front nine, which is scheduled to open the second week of June."
The specialty soils Quinn referred to are a processed blend of sand, organics and top soil.
"With all the area has endured over the last week, we are lucky to be focusing on the delivery of the time-honored customs and conventions of golf rather than a clean up effort," says Timothy W. Cole, president of Southworth Golf Management. "After seeing and experiencing the ravaged region, we know the members playing today and this week will be pleasantly surprised by the course conditions."
Renaissance Golf Club opened its first nine in 2005 and anticipates the opening of its front nine the second week of June.