The USGA rated the restored course 71.7, and its slope 134, which Raiford called a �stern test.�  He predicted most golfers would find the course playing 4 to 5 strokes higher than before�an opinion shared by most of those who played the course in the first days after it reopened. 

Project Details

With the assistance of golf course architect Kris Spence of Kris Spence Golf Design, Inc., The Grove Park Inn Resort golf course has been restored to the original Donald Ross design.   

• The greens� surfaces have been enlarged and reshaped to capture the original contour, slope, and pitch; heat-resistant, bentgrass (A-4) has been seeded; there are 30-inch collars at each green, and the areas adjacent the greens vary from very high rough grasses to closely-mown �collection areas,� to grass and sand bunkers. The bunkers reflect Ross� selection for position, depth, and grade; the greens, though as historically accurate as possible, have been modified to accept shots onto surfaces of 21st Century bentgrass.  

• The tees were reseeded with a laterally aggressive, hybrid bentgrass (PennCross), and were laser-leveled.  Entirely new back tees have been built at holes 4, 9, 12, and 17.   

• The fairways have been converted from Bermuda grass to bentgrass (PennTrio), which is more heat resistant, requires less water and can handle cart traffic most of the season.  

�This bronze recognizes the Donald Ross contribution to our golf history and shows our respect for the past as we move towards the future.  It also honors our design and golf team for their vision and hard work in restoring our course to championship status,� Madison said.

Kris Spence, of Kris Spence Golf Design, Inc., in Greensboro, N.C., was responsible for the renovation, with assistance from The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa�s Golf Course Superintendent Greg Benton.