Greensboro, Ga. (April 3, 2014) – Spring is the season of re-birth, and there is no better example of what the spring can bring than the re-opening of the Tom Fazio-designed National golf course at Reynolds Plantation.
Over the past nine months, the award-winning 27-hole masterpiece has undergone an extensive program of upgrades, fixes, and replanting. All putting greens were converted from bent grass to Champion Dwarf Bermudagrass, and every green collar improved.
Bunkers were fitted with the “Better Billy Bunker” system, a process named for former Augusta National superintendent Billy Fuller, who consulted on the renovation project. The advanced bunker-building method utilizes a sprayed-in polymer liner that dramatically improves drainage, reduces silt contamination and provides greater resistance to erosion. Many of the bunkers also had their edges reshaped, to allow for more effective maintenance and better grass growth. Furthermore, with the blessing of original architect Fazio, 10 bunkers were strategically removed while some of the remaining 76 were reduced in size.
Along the fairways and around those greens, excess foliage that had encroached upon the course over time was removed. As a result, turfgrass and putting surfaces will now receive additional air and sunlight, crucial to their long-term health and playability. Removal of superfluous greenery improves the visual framing of the course from the player’s perspective, thus enhancing the overall golf experience.
“In the past, you could catch glimpses of the lake during your round,” says Mark Lammi, vice president of golf operations for Reynolds Plantation. “Now, things are opened-up to better reflect the original design and the lake will be a major focus. Players will be much more aware of the lake setting and have the advantage of improved views as they approach the wonderfully rebuilt green complexes.”
“I’m very excited about the recent improvements made to The National course,” says Fazio, who was in close contact with the Reynolds team throughout the renovation project. “These renovations will improve the golf experience at The National for years to come. This project is evidence of the ownership’s commitment to quality and the long-term success of the community.”
Also part of the project, all comfort stations on the course were refurbished, while crews have begun an ornamental-grass planting program that will further enhance the natural areas surrounding the course. Meanwhile, plans are in the works for the building of a new National clubhouse, which is expected to break ground later this year and open in 2015.
“The reopening of The National course marks the completion of the fourth course renovation in less than two years,” says Lammi. “This collection of courses, combined with the Reynolds Golf Academy, the TaylorMade Kingdom and our extensive member programming, allows Reynolds Plantation to deliver a golf experience that truly cannot be found anywhere else.”
Weather permitting, the “new” National will open for play just in time for the perennial return of guests that accompanies the The Masters tournament in nearby Augusta.
All six courses at Reynolds Plantation will be open during Masters Week, April 7-13, with new hours going into effect as of April 14.
About Reynolds Plantation
Reynolds Plantation, located between Atlanta and Augusta, Ga., is situated along more than 374 miles of Lake Oconee shoreline and features six championship golf courses, dining, swimming pools, pedestrian trails, marinas, a tennis center and a wellness campus. Reynolds Plantation is also home to The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, a 251-room lakefront resort and spa, which was named a 2013 AAA Five Diamond Lodging and 2012 Forbes Four-Star resort. The community is located about an hour and a half from Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. For more information, visit www.reynoldsplantation.com.
Real estate and other amenities are owned by Oconee Land Development Company LLC and/or other subsidiaries and affiliates of MetLife, Inc. (collectively “OLDC”), and are not owned or operated by MetLife. MetLife is not engaged in home building, leasing, resales or brokerage activities at Reynolds Plantation. OLDC may not own homes, condos or cottages; availability varies and is subject to withdrawal without notice. Obtain the Property Report required by Federal law and read it before signing anything. No Federal agency has judged the merits or value, if any of this property. The California Department of Real Estate has not inspected, examined, or qualified this offering. This is not intended to be an offer to sell nor a solicitation of offers to buy real estate in Reynolds Plantation by residents of HI, ID, NY, OR, or any other jurisdiction where prohibited by law. No offering can be made to residents of New York until an offering plan is filed with the Department of Law of the State of New York. Access and rights to recreational amenities may be subject to fees, membership dues or limitations.
Contact:
Karen Moraghan
Hunter Public Relations
908/876-5100
kmoraghan@hunter-pr.com
www.hunter-pr.com
