DuPont Country Club in Wilmington, Delaware, has opened its new practice facility, designed by David Ferris of Sanford Golf Design.
“The new owners wanted to do something different and innovative with their practice facility that utilised the latest technology, allowed golfers to practice every shot they’d encounter on the course, and provide a fun experience for the entire family while helping grow the game in the Wilmington area,” said Ferris.
The club’s previous practice area was located on a remote part on the property. Working with the building architects Ferris created a new plan that would relocate it to land occupied by the par-61 Montchanin executive course, next to the clubhouse.
“The new practice facility provides a five-acre short game area with three practice greens that can also be played as a five-hole short course,” said Ferris. “The new 15-acre practice range is set into Montchanin’s former hole corridors, allowing for longer practice shots that truly replicate the on-course experience and a variety of target greens for practicing shots from 50 to over 200 yards.”
Read more: GCA’s coverage of the project from March 2019, shortly after construction began.
The project also includes a new 10,000-square-foot learning centre, designed by Rogers McCagg Architects, with six indoor TrackMan hitting bays, food and beverage service, and an outdoor area with views across the practice green and putting course.
John Burke III, the club’s director of golf, said: “Members love everything about it. The vision came together due to David’s ability to understand what we were asking for and then making the land work. I am grateful for his ability to do what he did to turn our facility into one of the best in the country.”
“In the end, they developed a community amenity that has helped attract new members and tournaments,” said Ferris.
A new nine-hole routing has been created from the holes that remain from the Montachanin course. But a long-range plan has been developed to replace those with a new 18-hole par-three course that would further the owners’ goal of growing the game.
The club also has two full-length 18-hole courses, the DuPont and the Nemours.