Courtesy of Champion Hills
When Hurricane Helene swept through Hendersonville, North Carolina, in late September 2024, Champion Hills Golf Club faced a challenge no playbook could have prepared its team for. Torrential rains and fierce winds damaged the Tom Fazio design, leaving the course and its community with a long road to recovery.
The first priority was ensuring the safety of members, staff and the surrounding neighborhood. With that accomplished, the focus shifted to restoring the course. Guided by a resilient board and membership, general manager Alan Deck and course superintendent Alan Burnette led the charge to bring Champion Hills back.
As the club heads into its spring season, remarkable progress has been made. While the front nine reopened in early October, more work was required on the home nine, but by April 1, 17 holes were back open. The finishing touch – the 18th hole – remains under careful reconstruction, with a projected reopening in early May.
“Considering the sheer destruction (across the region) and overwhelming demand for golf course crews and engineers, we’ve actually been very fortunate,” Deck said. “Securing Aspen Construction, fresh off a project at Augusta National, was a huge win for us.”
The storm caused washouts, landslides and erosion, particularly along the course’s natural creeks. Nos. 11, 15, 16 and 18 suffered the brunt of the damage. Aspen Construction, collaborating with the Fazio Design team, spearheaded the creek bank restoration efforts, leveled tees and completed extensive bunker work.
“The restoration has been phenomenal,” Deck said. “With Fazio’s input, we made thoughtful changes, like removing a bunker on 16 to enhance playability and installing capillary concrete for durability. We also used an advanced erosion control method called SOX to stabilize creek banks on 11, 15, and 16.”
Recovery was a multi-stage process. In the storm’s aftermath, the Champion Hills team faced the immediate task of clearing roads and assessing damage. Partnering with Miller Brothers Construction, Cosgrove Landscaping and specialized masonry experts, Burnette and his team tackled the course restoration project, step by step.
Their dedication was particularly evident given the personal hardships members of the team faced. Burnette’s home was damaged by a fallen tree, yet he remained committed to leading the club’s recovery. Other staff members endured similar challenges but stayed resolute.
“The teamwork has been extraordinary,” Deck said. “Alan Burnette, head golf professional Eric Fowler and membership director Heather Myers all went above and beyond. Eric created innovative ways to keep our members engaged with limited holes available. Everyone stepped up when it mattered most.”
That spirit of resilience extended to Champion Hills’ membership. Understanding the importance of supporting their community, members not only remained patient but also raised six figures in financial assistance for employees impacted by the storm.
“The generosity and support of our members have been overwhelming,” Deck said. “They understood that doing things the right way was more important than rushing the process.”
