Treyburn CC Reopens Following an Extensive Restoration

In addition to new putting surfaces, bunkers, and irrigation and drainage upgrades, McConnell Golf also improved and expanded the practice facility at the Durham, N.C. course.

Following a nearly year-long renovation, Treyburn Country Club, Durham, N.C., will host a Grand Re-Opening Gala on Saturday, March 31, to celebrate its refurbished Tom Fazio-designed golf course and expanded practice facility.

The physical work on the Treyburn golf course began in June 2011.

The extensive renovation done on the golf course allowed McConnell Golf to complete several different projects that not only enhance the layout itself, but also restore Treyburn’s reputation.

The first and most vital aspect of the project was to replace the decades-old, Penncross bent grass greens with a newer, more heat tolerant bentgrass, which will provide a much better putting surface during the summer months.

By reseeding the greens, architect and renovation expert Kris Spence and his team were able to rebuild all greens to their original specs, while also providing better drainage to each complex. On several greens, they were able to soften severe slopes, providing more pin-able locations.

Tree removal around several greens was necessary to provide more sunlight in the morning hours and allow better airflow on the surfaces, resulting in healthier greens going forward and providing better views on holes such as Nos. 7, 13 and 14.

Another key element in the project was the addition of better irrigation around each putting surface. The new irrigation heads not only allow the greens to be properly watered throughout the year but allow the Treyburn maintenance team, led by Superintendant Mark Snell, to better regulate the amount of water in the approach areas. The new state-of-the-art pump station installed during the project will also assist in these controls.

Also, every bunker on the Treyburn golf course has been upgraded with new drainage and the best white sand available, and several new bunkers were added for strategic purposes. In some areas, the bunkers were re-designed or moved to increase their relevance and provide better visual shaping of the holes, a feature that is synonymous with Tom Fazio-designed courses.

In addition to the new putting surfaces, bunkers, and irrigation and drainage upgrades, Treyburn’s 20-year-old practice facility also received a facelift. The top two tiers of the driving range hitting areas have been leveled and expanded by 40 percent, and new flagpoles have been installed to provide a cleaner look for the six target greens.

The putting green has been completely redesigned, with an additional 1,000 square feet of putting surface, providing a better simulation of putts members may encounter on the course. The practice bunker on the left side of the range has also been redesigned, to allow for both greenside bunker shots and long-iron shots to the middle of the practice range.

Finally, expanded chipping and pitching areas have been designed to assist all players with their short game.

“All the renovation work we do allows continuity of excellence between generations of membership,” said McConnell Golf Director of Golf Operations Brian Kittler. “Our members are accustomed to outstanding golf clubs, and they want the next generation to inherit an equally outstanding facility.”

Tags: Brian Kittler Irrigation Mark Snell McConnell Golf new greens practice facility restoration Treyburn Country Club