Bobby Weed Golf Design has completed a redesign of the golf facilities at Waynesville Inn & Golf Club in North Carolina, reducing the number of holes from 27 to 18.

The project has seen the club’s original Carolina nine, designed by Donald Ross in 1926, restored and become holes one to nine in the new routing. The other two nines, Dogwood and Blue Ridge, have been transformed into a new Weed nine that will play as holes ten to eighteen.

“Our goal was to consider a best-fit 18-hole routing that could incorporate new amenities, as well as development opportunities for higher land value uses,” said Weed, who was appointed for the project in 2021.

The ‘Ross nine’ is a compact set of holes that meander through the valley floor and lead into the new ‘Weed nine’, which is laid out over rolling terrain.

“The unique transformation of the other two former nines into a new Weed nine permitted us to build a more conspicuous, eye-catching set of mountainous holes with panoramic views,” said Weed. “Trees have been removed to open up views of the surrounding Great Smoky Mountains. On both sides, all creeks have been exposed to better incorporate the strategy of each hole.”

The transformation aims to ease maintenance by having less maintained acreage, a new single pump station with state-of-the-art irrigation, and a new palette of turfgrasses, including blends of fine fescues in out-of-play areas.

The project also includes a new short course, driving range, practice greens and a 27,000-square-foot Himalayas-style putting course. Unused parcels of land have been earmarked for future development.

Construction work was completed by MacCurrach Golf Construction. Key staff also included design associate Joey Graziani and shaper Kevin Millsaps. The golf course is forecasted to debut in summer 2023, pending the length of North Carolina’s current winter.