The go-ahead has been given for the completion of an 18-hole golf course at the Compass Pointe development in Leland, North Carolina.

Work at Compass Pointe began back in 2005 but the golf part of the development was put on hold in 2008.

At that time, ten holes and the practice range had been cleared and rough shaped. The Robbins & Associates firm, who drew up the original layout, have since worked to refine the design and make routing adjustments to fit with the development and wetland delineation changes.

But, thanks to a recent boom in lot sales and new home construction, Compass Pointe’s owner Bobby Harrelson has now approved the continuation of the project and the completion of the first 18 holes of what was originally designed as a 27-hole facility.

The practice range has been shaped and grass planted with a view to members using the facility by spring 2015.

Shaping work has also been completed on holes 1-12, with the other holes now cleared and bulk earthworks completed. Several greens have also been shaped with drainage and sand installed.

Lying around seven miles away from the city of Wilmington, the Compass Pointe site has a rolling topography and extensive wetlands that have been incorporated into the course design.

Rick Robbins and Brian Lussier have worked together on the design of the Compass Pointe layout, and Robbins said: “The design will incorporate the wetlands, soils and vegetation found on the site. The use of extensive waste areas will use native sand tied into the existing forest edge.”

“In an unusual move for modern golf construction, the greens will also be built from the on-site sand modified, with a percentage of Profile incorporated in the mix, instead of using full USGA methods,” Robbins added. “The greens will be a ‘push-up’ style that is similar to the way the original Pinehurst greens were constructed. Fairways will be extra wide but will only have a minimum area of rough before transitioning into waste areas or wetlands.”

Special efforts have been made to minimise the areas of the course that need to be watered and actively maintained in order to reduce chemical applications and water use.

The construction of the course is set to be completed next spring and grassing will likely take place around June 2015. The official opening is scheduled for September 2015.