One of Mississippi’s most celebrated golf layouts has returned to life after a yearlong transformation.
Old Waverly Club has officially reopened the Mossy Oak course in West Point, inviting members and guests back to a refreshed and upgraded experience. Named for the famed Mississippi camouflage brand, Mossy Oak was originally routed by well-known architect Gil Hanse, with pro golfer and entrepreneur Jerry Pate guiding the renovation process.
“Gil Hanses’s routing and strategic approach on this rolling farmland site is a standout,” Pate remarked. “The rebuilt bunkers, traditional links-style greens that flow into the terrain—these will leave a lasting impression on those who play Mossy Oak.”
Renovation Highlights
Over the year of closure, the project included:
- A full reconstruction of all bunkers
- Course lengthening
- Regrassing of putting surfaces with TifEagle
- Upgraded and reworked cart paths
The relaunch also heralds a new era for Old Waverly Club. A fresh ownership structure—anchored by Pate as Chairman and supported by the Bryan family and select investors—now unites Old Waverly and Mossy Oak under a single organizational umbrella.
Since its 1988 inception, Old Waverly has earned a reputation as one of the most distinctive private golf clubs in America. Its founder, George Bryan, sought to evoke a taste of Scotland in Mississippi, creating a destination for both golf and hospitality in the state’s Golden Triangle region.
Pate and architect Bob Cupp were brought in 1986 to develop the original Old Waverly course from raw natural forest and pastureland. By its September 1988 opening, it had already earned acclaim. Over the years, Old Waverly has appeared on numerous “Best Of” lists and hosted high profile championships, including the U.S. Women’s Open (1999), U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur (2006), U.S. Women’s Amateur (2019), and multiple Southern Amateur events (2015, 2021).
In 2016, Mossy Oak was unveiled across the road from Old Waverly, swiftly rising to national acclaim. In 2018, Golfweek ranked Mossy Oak among the Top 100 Modern Golf Courses in the U.S. Today, it also serves as the official home course for the Mississippi State University men’s and women’s golf teams.
The Broader Trend: Course Renovations on the Rise
While new golf course construction remains modest, the U.S. golf industry is seeing a strong surge in renovation and restoration activity.
The National Golf Foundation reports that annual course closures have declined five years running, with 2024 recording the lowest closure rate since 2004—signaling improving facility health and renewed investment. (National Golf Foundation)
At the same time, big renovation projects are proliferating: the USGA notes that “waiting lists are bloated … and big renovations are happening everywhere.” (USGA)
According to National Golf Foundation data, new golf course openings average only about 13 per year in the U.S., but the number of existing courses being rebuilt or reimagined is much higher. (National Golf Foundation)
Between 2016 and 2022, an estimated 62% of golf facilities invested in capital improvements, averaging roughly $419,500 per property—much of which went into renovation, irrigation, and infrastructure. (ngcoa.org)
In 2024 alone, 59 new or remodeled U.S. courses were judged by Golf Digest’s ranking panel for “Best New” and “Best Renovation” awards. (Golf Digest)
Industry reports estimate that the global golf course construction market is valued near $5 billion, and that the renovation and restoration segment is expanding rapidly to meet demand. (Market Report Analytics)
In the U.S., the golf and country club industry has grown at approximately 4% compounded annually over the past five years, reaching an estimated $34.9 billion in 2025. (IBISWorld)
Taken together, these figures show a clear national momentum: owners and operators are choosing to reinvest in existing courses rather than gamble on new development. Mossy Oak’s comprehensive rejuvenation fits neatly into that larger pattern.
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