UGA Course Renovation (Photos)

[J_McKenzie]

Just wanted to let the Athens/Atlanta folks know that the University of Georgia Golf Course just re-opened after a seven month renovation.  The renovation involved a complete redesign of the greens and surrounds, the addition of tournament tees for the UGA team and other long hitters, and the addition of forward tees for shorter hitters.  We added 448 yards to the back tees and decreased the yardage from the forward tees by 447 yards.  We reshaped the landing areas on three holes and completely reshaped the par-5, 5th hole and converted it to a par-4 for the men.  Conditions are not yet ideal due to some of the bermudagrass not getting grown-in before the cold weather (these areas have been overseeded), but the greens are good considering they are so young.  Look for complete maturity of the course in the late spring or summer.

The University Course was originally designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. and opened in 1968.  The green complexes were renovated in 1988-89.  A very solid golf course that makes good use of the land and the natural features.  It is a very challenging course, yet water comes into play on only three holes, all on the back nine, and there are only 22 bunkers on the entire course.  A lot of downhill tee shots with uphill approaches, especially on the back, but it doesn't seem repetitive due to the natural use of the land and the shot variety.  This course is open to the public and the rates make it one of the best values around.

A few before and afters:

A view from the first tee, Feb. 2006.



View into the first green, Oct. 2006.


View into the 5th green, Feb. 2006- note the containment mounding around the green.


View into the 5th green, Oct. 2006- green forms the horizon line and fits more naturally into the hill.


View from the first landing area on the par-5, 7th, Feb. 2006.


View from the first landing area on the par-5, 7th, Oct. 2006- I believe the bunker short right is is the only fairway bunker that was added, it tightens up the lay-up.  The green is better defined.


View from the 14th tee, Feb. 2006.


View from the 14th tee, Oct. 2006- Note the removal of the cart path down the left, relocated into the trees on the right.  Also, the finish shaping around the green and at the 15th tee to the left of the green is more natural looking.


View from the 18th tee, Feb. 2006.


Closer view from the landing area of the new 18th green, Oct. 2006- new greenside bunker added on the left.  Without question, one of the toughest finishing holes you will find.

[J_McKenzie]

Thought I would bump this announcement back up for those who might not have seen it.  

Thanks, John

[jeffwarne]

Thanks John,

The changes look great-funny when I played there in 81-85 I always knew the course lacked something, despite many interesting holes and topography.

I ended up working on the grounds crew at Athens CC and enjoyed the architecture much more.

[Tim Copeland]

Who was the architect??

What company did the work??

They did some work to their practice area a few years back also....right??  Bob _________ did the work I think.....at least he told me he did.  This was in the late 90's because we were looking at doing some work to Clemson's practice area

[John_Cullum]

I like the way the new 14th looks.

Is 18-9 still a double green?

[Dan_Callahan]

The before and after shots of 14 are a case study in the importance of cart path placement.

Is it Fazio who is said to start his designs based on hiding the paths?

If so, I am finding new respect for him.

(Just found a quote from Fazio in T&L Golf: "I personally think every cart path hurts the look of a golf course," adds Tom Fazio. "The ideal brand-new hole, in my opinion, is one where you stand on the tee and you don't see a cart path anywhere. My guys know that if I visit a property and I see a cart path, the first thing I'm going to say is, 'What happened here?'")

[Tim Copeland]

The before and after shots of 14 are a case study in the importance of cart path placement.

Is it Fazio who is said to start his designs based on hiding the paths?

If so, I am finding new respect for him.

(Just found a quote from Fazio in T&L Golf: "I personally think every cart path hurts the look of a golf course," adds Tom Fazio. "The ideal brand-new hole, in my opinion, is one where you stand on the tee and you don't see a cart path anywhere. My guys know that if I visit a property and I see a cart path, the first thing I'm going to say is, 'What happened here?'")

I agree with him....it is tough to hide em sometimes but most of the time it is doable.

the 14th looks a ton better

[Andy Hughes]

John, thanks for posting. I played UGA a few times in the late 80s and always enjoyed it. Do you have any more before and afters?

[Tiger_Bernhardt]

Calling Bob Crosby and Mike Young, please talk to us about this. Also second request for who did design and construction work.

[J_McKenzie]

Tiger, Tim Copeland-

Love Golf Design, Davis and Mark Love's company, was the design firm and Greens Construction out of Tifton, Ga. was the contractor.  We would like to commend Doug Godwin and his crew from Greens Construction for all their efforts and for stretching every dollar to get as much done as we did.

Tim,

They did re-do the practice facility several years back and Course Crafters did that work.  With this latest renovation, we also redesigned the putting and chipping areas (not included in the work performed by Course Crafters) and re-worked one of the chipping greens for the UGA golf teams.

Andy,

I've posted most of the one's I've got, but I'll see if there are any more good ones.  Additional photos of the entire renovation process can be seen at the University Golf Course website- www.golfcourse.uga.edu/

John Cullum,

Separating the greens at 9 and 18 was discussed, but it was decided to keep them connected, although the entire complex was redesigned.  A new tournament tee was added to #9 that is approximately 40 yards behind the old back tee to try to take away the option of just blasting it over the corner of the dogleg.  The landing area was also reshaped to visually turn the hole and receive the tee shot better in order to slow down balls from running all the way through to the 18th fairway.

Jeff,

I must of just missed you as I worked at the University Course from '86-'89.  The biggest problem with UGA back in the early 80's was the inconsistent conditions.  I have played several rounds of golf at Athens CC and it is hard to beat the original Ross 18 (although I never quite figured out the new nine hole addition).  I just heard that Buzz Howell has retired.  I only met him a few times, but he was always very courteous and helpful if you needed something.

Regards,  John

[RE Blanks]

J Mckenzie,
Thanks for the post.  From your pictures the changes look great.  I will be out there very soon.  I did not hear about Buzz and I am an ACC member.  

Where are the new Championship tees?  Which holes?  

[J_McKenzie]

RE Blanks,

It's my understanding that Buzz just retired within the last two or three weeks.  I apologize if I am mistaken.

New championship tees have been added to the following holes- #1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15, 17, and 18.  The most dramatic changes are probably #7 (back and to the left of the regular tees), #15 (all the old tees were demo'd and whole new tee complex constructed), and #17 (new tee added to the left of the 16th green).

Before and after:

#7 tee, Feb. 2006.


#7 tee, Oct. 2006, 75 yards added, note that fairway landing area was reshaped to lessen slope toward the woods on the right and fairway bunker was moved toward the tees approximately 30 yards.


#15 tee, Feb. 2006.


#15 tee, Oct. 2006,  note the cart path has been moved further left into the woods.


#17 tee, Oct. 2006, 25 yards added, angle of play dramatically changed from old back tee.  Budget restrictions negated moving the cart path.