HISTORIC CLUB TEEING IT UP FOR THE NEXT 100 YEARS

Valdosta Country Club full golf course renovation is underway

The Valdosta Country Club golf course was carved out of South Georgia woodlands that once encompassed the Cherokee Plantation during the Civil War. The VCC’s courses have undergone overhauls through the decades, with the most recent update in 1997. However, 25 years of wear and tear were beginning to show. The 2023 renovation encompasses all aspects of the course, from irrigation and cart paths, to bunkers and greens, for a heightened golf experience from tee to green.

“As a long time VCC member and golfer, our golf course needed an upgrade,” explains Drew Respess. “And it is getting a major one. It’s going to be a solid, but fun, test for the really good players ... and golfers who are new to the game. I couldn’t be more excited!”

Golf course architect Bill Bergin was selected to redesign the storied course. The project concept features an 18-hole course, sixhole par-3 short course, full short game area and practice range.

“The renovation of Valdosta Country Club is going very well. Duininck has a terrific team in place, and they are doing an excellent job. If you can ever actually claim it – we are ahead of schedule,” says Bergin. “More importantly, the quality of the transformation becomes more evident with each visit. The raw material we have to work with was well hidden but is emerging with each sweeping movement of the dozers. Exposing space and building features that work with the land has been our targeted goal from the beginning and is now visible throughout the back nine. I truly believe the golf course will exceed all expectations, including my own.”

Greens complexes will have a dramatically different feel as they have been expanded to include deep bunkering and catch basins in the surrounding areas. Tree removal and under brushing will also improve air flow as well as create a more open look.

VCC board member Greg Hunter says “The Valdosta Country Club has been a staple in our community for over 100 years and has provided the community with a place to gather socially, to forge long-term relationships. The investment from our membership to revitalize the golf course, tennis courts, and other facilities of the club will restore the VCC as the preeminent private golf course in South Georgia.”

In addition to golf, the Valdosta Country Club offers tennis, including the only clay courts in the region, a state-of-the-art fitness center with personal training, and a shortcourse Olympic size pool and snack bar. Continued improvements are what attracts not only golfers, but families and businesspeople to the Club. The VCC looks forward to opening the new golf course this fall! | VM

“The investment from our membership to revitalize the golf course will restore the VCC as the preeminent private golf course in South Georgia.”

The ceremonial groundbreaking was in December 2022. The new course, expected to be completed by Fall 2023, will include:

• A new 18-hole course is being reworked from the existing 27 holes

• Expanded driving range and practice facilities

• All greens, fairways, bunkers, and cart paths are being rebuilt

• A short course will be added between the first hole and the practice facilities