Charlotte’s South Course at Carmel Country Club has been undergoing a major overhaul by Rees Jones. The course plans to reopen in April.

Carmel Country Club’s original South Course, was an Ellis Maples design built in 1962. During the 1980s it saw some cosmetic changes and tweaks. “This time around we provided Rees Jones with a substantially larger budget and carte blanche,” stated Bill Anderson, the club superintendent.

According to Anderson, several holes were “flipped” with hole numbers one and eighteen literally reversed. Some new holes were completely recreated and some were totally eliminated. The primary routing and hole development are mostly intact from the original design, however some additional land that was available to Carmel was used to expand on the entire layout of the South Course.

Trees were thinned out, new mulch and pine straw has been added that make for a picture-perfect framing of the fairways. Extensive drainage systems have been placed, as were the cart paths.

The idea, according to course management, was to make for the best golf course that could be created on the site. For all indications they’ve accomplished that goal.

“We’re excited about the new South Course,” remarked Ted Barnes, club president. “Rees created four new holes at Nos. 1, 5, 6 and 18. On the remaining 14 holes, the reconstruction work is significant, with new green complexes, repositioned tees and a new bunkering scheme at each hole. It’s just fabulous.”

Jones has added approximately 500 yards to the South Course, which can now be stretched to 7,503 yards, making it one of the longest courses in the state. With its multiple sets of tees, the revamped course is now challenging for all of their members to enjoy.

For more information about Rees Jones, visit http://www.reesjonesinc.com

For more information about Carmel Country Club, visit www.carmelcountryclub.org .