DURHAM, North Carolina – An area perhaps most famous for stellar collegiate basketball is also home to several seminal golf clubs that have historic roots in classical golf architecture.
Despite being founded little more than 20 years ago, Old Chatham Golf Club’s layout is reminiscent of courses designed decades ago steeped in the nuances of classical design.
“This is a landmark club in an area rich with spectacular golf courses,” Duininck Project Manager, Paul Deis stated. “So we’re doing everything with a focus on ensuring our work fits seamlessly with the broader landscape and looks like it’s been here for decades.”
Sprawling across 403 acres, Rees Jones designed 7,210-yard layout winds its way through a Loblolly Pine Forest providing a sense of solitude and unmatched shot making for members who call Old Chatham home.
The scope of Duininck’s work was comprehensive, but Project Superintendent Matt Dufresne clarifies “the work on the bunkers has garnered wide attention from members and even other private club in the Raleigh area.”
The beauty and playability rewards are far more evident than the benefits yielded beneath the surface. In addition to addressing drainage and irrigation issues, the Duininck team completely remodeled every bunker under the watchful eye of Greg Muirhead, ASGCA, Senior Designer with Rees Jones Design.
Capillary Concrete was installed in the bunkers to mitigate drainage issues, allow for easier maintenance and less native soil contamination.
Along with the bunkers, all the tee areas have been laser leveled, realigned, and freshened up with new base sand and sod. The fairways and greens have been converted to Zoysia and Bermuda, and a new pond was built on the left side of the 16th hole while the fairway was recontoured and fitted with bunkers.
“In many ways the course is going to look and feel brand new,” Paul adds.
Brian Powell, Director of Golf Course Management at Old Chatham GC states ,“in more than 30 years in the golf industry I personally have been part of many golf course constructions and renovation projects, Duininck has set a new standard for quality work delivered timely and within budget, and with a true spirit of partnership during the entire process.”
“The results are undeniable and we at Duininck are excited to partner alongside Old Chatham Golf Club for a long-term relationship built on loyalty and trust”, states Duininck’s Director of Business Development Sam Duininck.
