SARASOTA (Fla.) — A worker drove a yellow construction car around a future green and unrolled a large roll of sod. A second employee walked in front of the vehicle to remove the plastic mesh holding the roll together.
The Bobby Jones Golf Club’s front nine holes were rehabilitated by them and other workers. This is an important step in the $12 million renovation project.
Sarasota plans to reduce the number of holes at the golf complex from 45-27 and turn some of the property into an area for nature. It will include an 18-hole and a 9-hole short-course, as well as a practice area.
According to Richard Mandell (the project’s architect), the construction work began in February 2022. It is expected that it will be completed by this fall.
What have we accomplished thus far?
Mandell and QGS Development, a construction company, are working to restore the 18-hole course that Donald Ross, a well-known golf architect, designed in the 1920s.
Mandell stated that workers have put grass in all nine holes except the putting greens. The workers have also begun to put grass on the nine front holes. They have also been busy working on the practice and short course.
A few weirs were built earlier by workers to control the water level in the ponds of the golf complex. Mandell explained that water from Main B Canal that is rushing through heavy rain events will be diverted to the golf course if it reaches a certain height. The water will temporarily remain in the golf complex and not flood areas downstream from Bobby Jones.
A wetland restoration component is also included in the project. The wetlands will filter stormwater from Phillippi Creek and Sarasota Bay. Although the wetlands have been created by the construction crew, the plants are still to be added.
Why was it delayed?
Mandell originally hoped that the 18 hole course would be open to the public in November last year, but there were some setbacks. The permits were delayed and they also had to deal with the rainy season.
What is left to do?
Contractors will also need to finish grassing the 18-hole course.
Although the clubhouse on the property is still being constructed, golfers will be able to use a temporary one while construction progresses. Jan Thornburg, a city spokeswoman, said that the temporary clubhouse would be available by the time the course reopens in fall.
Fawley Bryant Architecture, Sarasota County’s architectural firm, is currently working on conceptual drawings for the permanent clubhouse. These will be presented to City Commission within the next few months. Thornburg stated that the temporary clubhouse will be in place for at least two years. However, this timeline may change.
Mandell stated that there would be a “great product” when the renovations are completed.
He said, “It’s going to exceed people’s expectations.”
By: Anne Snabes
Title: Sarasota's Bobby Jones Golf Club: What's the latest on the long-awaited revamp?
Sourced From: golfweek.usatoday.com/2023/03/15/sarasota-bobby-jones-golf-club-renovations/
Published Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2023 16:00:19 +0000
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