MAGGIE VALLEY, N.C. – For more than forty years, the front nine at Maggie Valley Club was bisected by Alexander Drive. Although it rarely carried traffic, the paved road crossed three fairways and was a distraction to golfers.
Earlier this year, as work wrapped up on several years of course upgrades, the road was removed. No longer will golfers encounter a thoroughfare on holes #1, #6 and #8.
"The Old Course at St. Andrews in Scotland is famous for its Road Hole, but our road holes at Maggie Valley Club never had the same charm," said head golf professional Mike Fox. "We wanted golfers driving down our beautiful fairways instead of motorists driving across them."
The removal of Alexander Drive is one of the most noticeable in a series of course renovations over the last several years. It comes after extensive fairway drainage work this past winter has created the best conditions at Maggie Valley Club since it opened in 1964.
Other improvements include new tee boxes, re-routing cart paths away from areas of play, adding length to a few holes, new on-course signage, and a new fleet of golf carts.
Later this spring, the club opens a new driving range and short-game practice area.
"The driving range is going to be fantastic," Fox said. "It will have a large, flat teeing ground with target greens at 100, 150 and 200 yards, as well as a practice bunker. We were committed to building a range that would match the quality of the new Maggie Valley Club."
Course superintendent Mike Stamey has been project manager for all the golf upgrades. Now with the bulk of that work completed, Stamey is turning his attention to elevating course conditions to their highest levels.
"We have really stepped up the golf course maintenance program and are paying close attention to detail," said Stamey. "We have the equipment and resources now to manicure the golf course better than we’ve ever been able to in my 17 years here."
"This is going to be our most exciting season," added Fox. "Our amenities will be open and we should see a gain in memberships, and an increase in member activity."
For tee times or stay-and-play packages at the new Maggie Valley Club, call (800) 438-3861 or visit online at: www.maggievalleyclub.com.
Contact:
Craig Distl (704) 377-8622
cdistl@bellsouth.net
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