Orangeburg Country Club in South Carolina has completed a major renovation led by Pinehurst-based architect Richard Mandell.

The course, originally designed by Ellis Maples, was bought from its members by local company Pin High Visions earlier in the year.

The renovation has involved the installation of a new irrigation system and made use of aerial photographs dating from 1963, which Mandell deployed in order to restore Maples’ original 1961 hole strategies.

“This will be a Southern classic and a gem,” Mandell said. “Our goal was to create a situation where all golfers get the same experience no matter what their talent level is. This really was not happening before.”

Over 300 yards has been added to the course, taking it to a total length of over 7,000 yards. Construction was handled by North Carolina-based contractor Course Doctors.

Around 700 trees were removed in the course of the project. Mandell said the most dramatic changes took place on the second, sixth, eighth and ninth holes.

Capital improvements on the course are expected to amount to around US$1.5 million. The course’s clubhouse is also being expanded, with construction expected to start before the end of 2009.