Independence Golf Club, previously home to the Virginia State Golf Association, has been purchased by Richmond based sports marketing firm Pros, Incorporated. Originally opened in 2001, the daily-fee golf course at Independence is in need of design upgrades, turf refurbishment and operational optimization. A planned renovation will add strategic options and visual appeal, while enhancing sustainability of maintenance to this popular Central Virginia golf course.
Pros, Inc has hired Richmond-based and internationally recognized golf course architect, Lester George, to lead the renovation efforts to the golf course at Independence and make design changes to the course, which was originally designed by Tom Fazio. Marvin “Vinny” Giles, a Virginia amateur legend, will also lend his input to the project.
Lester’s firm, George Golf Design, will create a Long Range Master Plan of Renovations for Independence Golf Club, incorporating design changes to the golf course, practice facilities, short course and driving range. Sustainability of maintenance, turf quality and operational efficiencies will be tenets of the plan. The goal is to create a golf course that golfers of all skill levels will enjoy – one that will invite beginners, be fun to play for amateurs and professionals alike.
“I am excited to be a part of this project,” said Lester George. “I have known Giff Breed for many years and look forward to helping him realize his vision for this property. Of course I am also looking forward to working again with Vinny Giles, Virginia’s greatest amateur player.”
“Lester George is one of the finest architects in the world – and a good friend. One of his great skills is developing a strategy for the golf course and then developing and executing a plan that is in the best interest of the project,” said Giff Breed, Principal at Pros Inc. In addition to upgrades on the golf course, Breed has plans to repurpose and expand the facility at Independence Golf Club into a multi-purpose recreation and entertainment venue. Breed continued, “Our feeling is that golf courses need to be more than just golf courses. With the help of partners, we are very excited and look forward to developing Independence into a center for golf and other cultural activities.”
The Master Plan of Renovations is being created to provide Central Virginia with a state-of-the-art venue for other recreation and entertainment options to complement the golf course at Independence Golf Club. The project will be conducted in phases, the first phase being the redesign of all of the bunkers, re-grassing all 18 fairways, and the conversion of the greens to Champion Bermuda Grass.
Contact:
Shannon Fisher, Vice President of Communications, George Golf Design, 804-314-3268
