Digging with purpose in Durham

A highly respected modern golf course in an area famous for its stellar college basketball has received a makeover as Duininck Golf recently combined with longtime director of golf course management Brian Powell and Rees Jones, Inc. to complete a renovation at Old Chatham Golf Club in Durham, North Carolina.

“This is a landmark club in an area rich with spectacular golf courses, so we were doing everything with a focus on ensuring our work fits seamlessly with the broader landscape and looks like it’s been here for decades,” Duininck project manager Paul Deis said.

Sprawling across 403 acres, Jones designed Old Chatham through a Loblolly Pine Forest providing a sense of solitude and offering challenging shot making. The course debuted in 2021.

The scope of the recent work was comprehensive and Duininck project superintendent Matt Dufresne said, “the work on the bunkers has garnered wide attention from members and even other private clubs in the Raleigh area.” In addition to addressing drainage and irrigation issues, the Duininck team completely remodeled every bunker under the watchful eye of Greg Muirhead, ASGCA, a senior designer with Rees Jones Design, Inc. Capillary Concrete was installed in the bunkers to mitigate drainage issues while allowing for easier maintenance and less native soil contamination.

Other work included converting the fairways from Bermudagrass to zoysiagrass, laser leveling, realigning and resodding tee areas, and building a new pond to the left side of the 16th hole.

“In more than 30 years in the golf industry, I personally have been part of many golf course constructions and renovation projects,” Powell said. “Duininck has set a new standard for quality work delivered timely and within budget, and with a true spirit of partnership during the entire process.”

Duininck director of business development Sam Duininck added: “The results are undeniable and we at Duininck are excited to partner alongside Old Chatham Golf Club for a long-term relationship built on loyalty and trust.”