Course of the Week: Waynesville Inn and GC reopens following Bobby Weed redesign

The Waynesville (N.C.) Inn and Golf Club recently reopened following a renovation completed by Bobby Weed Golf Design (BWGD).

Weed’s creative repurposing plan transformed 27 holes into an 18-hole resort facility, accompanied by a new wedge course, driving range, short game complex, lighted Himalayan putting green, golf cottages and more.

“The Waynesville Inn and Golf Club’s new routing is compelling, memorable and avoids repetition,” said golf course designer, Bobby Weed. “Quality courses should have a rhythm of scoring opportunities and challenges. The design variety should also provide different hole shapes, distances and shot options for the player to discern. We accomplished these goals during our renovation.”

History

The Waynesville Inn and Golf Club, located 30 miles west of Asheville, N.C., opened in 1926 as Waynesville Country Club. Formerly a dairy farm, Donald Ross converted the property into a nine-hole golf course, dubbed the “Carolina 9”. The club added two more nines in 1929 (“Dogwood”) and 1986 (“Blue Ridge”) as land became available.

In April 2021, the club’s management, Raines, hired BWGD to repurpose the entire property. The goal was to build a best-fit 18-hole course, practice facilities and related hospitality services, while planning for future development opportunities with higher land value uses.

Ross Nine

BWGD respected the original front nine routing in the newly named “Ross 9.” This compact set of holes weaves across a valley floor, flanked by streams, evergreen and deciduous trees while surrounded by mountains.

BWGD added yardage where possible while maintaining the playability of the former layout. The front nine includes small greens, short-cut surrounds and bunkering.

Two par 3s, six par 4s and one par 5 comprise the par 35. Weed transformed the first tee box into a multi-use space. 11,000 sq. ft. of bentgrass lawn will serve as both a teeing ground and outdoor event space adjacent to the resort. In-play areas (tees, fairways and greens) consist of bentgrass varieties.

Weed Nine

The new backside, dubbed the “Weed Nine,” is a nine-hole composite layout that consolidates 18 holes from the “Dogwood” and “Blue Ridge” routings. BWGD converted holes not utilized in the the new nine-hole layout into practice areas and future residential development pods.

The Weed 9’s par 36 offers three par 3s, 4s and 5s. BWGD shaped the greens with gentle slopes and falloffs to resemble the Ross 9 closely.

A “Wedge Park” short course was designed between the first and 18th hole fairways.

Practice facilities

The practice area is highlighted by an 18,000-sq.-ft. Himalayan putting course. Designed with moderate slopes, swales and plateaus, the free-range green will be lighted for night use. BWGD also constructed a new driving range, chipping and bunker complex.

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