Calabash course getting facelift

Brunswick Plantation course to close May 21 for major renovations

By Alan Blondin

The Sun News

The elimination of several courses on the Grand Strand in favor of redevelopment is considered an opportunity by the owners and operators of Brunswick Plantation & Golf Resort.

The Calabash, N.C., course will be closing on May 21 for an extensive renovation project that will include the changing of all 27 greens from bentgrass to Champions Bermudagrass. The planned reopening date is August 1.

"With all these courses closing down, we want to reposition ourselves at another level in reputation and [rates]," said Brunswick Plantation resort director Billy Bernier. "I think the general public will have a new opinion of Brunswick Plantation after the renovations."

The original 18 holes on the Willard Byrd design that opened in 1992 had PennCross bent, which does not have the tolerance to heat that many newer strains of bent have. Nine holes added in 1998 featured Crenshaw bent. All of the greens are being expanded back to the size Byrd intended.

"It's best that we have 27 consistent greens and they're going to be nice now," Bernier said.

Other area courses that have turned to the thin-bladed ultradwarf Champions Bermuda include Caledonia Golf & Fish Club, Long Bay Club, River Hills Golf and Country Club, and the Bay Tree Plantation Gold course.

Course officials also plan to build six new championship tee boxes that will extend the distance on any 18-hole combination to nearly 7,000 yards, remove some fairway bunkers that only come into play for shorter hitters and higher-handicap players, and reopen with 10-minute tee-time intervals compared to the current 8 minutes.

"We wanted to add length to make it tougher for better players, speed up play for higher-handicap players, and get some of the best greens in area, and we'll accomplish all three," Bernier said.

While the course is closed, plans call for fairways to be worked on, cart paths on the Magnolia nine to be resurfaced, and several aesthetic changes. The number of flower beds will be doubled or tripled on the property, several species of trees including oak, dogwood and palm will be added in strategic areas, and a large garden will be built around the ninth greens on the Azalea and Dogwood nines.

Senior touring pro and instructor Mike Schroder made recommendations on the changes.