NEW SMYRNA BEACH (Fla.) — Florida golf course balances water.
In many places, they need more than enough. In other places, there is not enough.
Sugar Mill Country Club, New Smyrna Beach’s oldest and most respected golf course, has been balancing this act for more than 50 years. The renovation project is both completed and ongoing.
Sugar Mill’s 27 golf holes are divided into three colors: Red, white and blue. When the course was first built in 1970, architect Joe Lee (who died in 2003) designed the 18 original holes. The Blue nine was opened in 1984.
Ron Garl is the architect who will be handling the $6.5 million restoration. He previously worked for Lee.
Derek Morrison is Sugar Mill’s Director of Golf. He says that the current project “top to tail” keeps the core of the course, but updates it.
All the greens, bunkers and tees are being redesigned. The Red nine is still under construction and will reopen by November. The Blue Nine is also scheduled to undergo similar work within three years.
The course has upgraded its irrigation system, which replaced the original 1970s system. New bunkers also include an element of modern technology to control water. The capillary concrete layer under the sand in the faces is intended to help the bunkers withstand driving rains and reduce the need for post-storm labor.
Morrison says that a new irrigation system will replace the old one, and the bunker faces are being upgraded to avoid the problems Florida courses face with the heavy rains.
Sugar Mill is a private, members-owned facility with tennis, pickleball, and a full service clubhouse. The golf course was the host of several U.S. women’s open qualifiers.
By: Ken Willis
Title: This Florida golf course is undergoing a major 'top to tail' renovation
Sourced From: golfweek.usatoday.com/2023/04/19/sugar-mill-country-club-florida-new-bunkers-renovation/
Published Date: Wed, 19 Apr 2023 12:00:35 +0000
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