The Landings on Skidaway Island's Deer Creek Course Undergoing Complete Renovation

(SKIDAWAY ISLAND, Ga.) - Representatives of The Landings on Skidaway Island announced that the Deer Creek Course is currently undergoing a complete renovation project that will total $7.7 million when the course reopens October 2009.

Originally designed by Tom Marzolf, of the Fazio Golf Course Designers Group, Deer Creek made its debut in 1991, the last of the six Landings Club courses to open. Marzolf returns to Deer Creek 18 years later to lead the course's 2009 renovation. A past president of the American Society of Golf Course Architects, Marzolf's resume includes recent remodels at Oakmont Country Club, Oakmont, Pa.; Merion Golf Club, Ardmore, Pa.; Firestone Country Club - South Course, Akron, Ohio; Winged Foot Golf Course, Mamaroneck, N.Y.; and Oak Hill Country Club, Rochester, N.Y.; Riviera Country Club, Santa Monica, Ca.

"We are excited that our original architect, Tom Marzolf, has returned to Deer Creek to handle this renovation project," said Alan Gamble, general manager of the Landings Club. "Enhancing our six courses for optimum play and member enjoyment has always been a focus and a priority at The Landings Club and we have invested heavily in the renovation and aggressive maintenance of our facilities."

Changes to the course include a complete recontouring of the fairways to aid drainage and run-off; the planting of shade and drought-tolerant Celebration Bermuda grass on the fairways; reshaping and enlargement the greens, according to USGA specifications, with closely-mown collection areas that will present the golfer a variety of shot options around the green; resprigging the greens with TifEagle and collars with TifDwarf Bermuda; constructing five tee boxes on each hole to permit all levels of golfers to play from 7,236 yards from the championship tees to the front tee yardage of 5,015 yards; establishing junior golfer tee boxes with reduced yardage to encourage younger participants; replacing the irrigation with a state-of-the-art computerized control irrigation system to optimize water resources; and resurfacing cart paths with concrete to replace the course's original asphalt paths.

Another emphasis during the renovation project will be the expansion of the Deer Creek practice range. Marzolf will add two short-game practice areas to allow golfers to work on a wide-range of short-game shots, as well as enlargement of the driving range so more golfers can be accommodated.

"When Deer Creek reopens in October, golfers will experience a completely new course that matches the evolution of the game since the course opened in 1991," said Marzolf. "Golf clubs, golf balls and turf care technology has been improved dramatically and we've redesigned Deer Creek to match the scientific advances in the game. We re-built Deer Creek with improved drainage techniques, new shade tolerant grasses, more tee space, repositioned fairway bunkers, new hole location options on larger, more receptive greens and an improved drainage system."

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