Chris Wilczynski’s renovation project at Killearn Country Club in Tallahassee, Florida, has moved into the construction phase.
Wilczynski was hired by the club’s new owner David Cummings, who took over earlier this year. MacCurrach Golf Construction is carrying out the work, which aims to revitalise the entire 18-hole course.
“The course revitalisation will touch every inch of the property,” said Wilczynski. “We will rebuild every aspect of the course infrastructure to enhance the challenge, interest, playability and beauty of the architecture.”
Wilczynski aims to generate curiosity and challenge with his design. “We focused on creating variety at each hole and incorporating angles that are strategic and more visually interesting,” he said. “The new 18th hole is a medium-length par four that will play uphill and slightly turn from right to left, with several bunkers framing the inside and outside edges of the landing areas. It will offer an impressive finale as it sits directly below the clubhouse where members will have a prime spot to watch golfers finish their rounds.”
Planned course improvements include a ribbon tee system that can accommodate six tees on each hole for a total course distance ranging from 3,800 to 7,200 yards. A classic bunkering style will have steep grass faces and flat sand floors. The project will also see the management of existing vegetation to restore the scale of the course whilst preserving the large oak and pine trees that frame each hole.
“This is a major renovation effort with several experts involved,” said Wilczynski. “The entire team met regularly throughout the master planning and design stages to stay aligned with our client’s goals and overall vision. We are all working together to create a refined sense of place – we want every detail, on an off the course, to be remarkable.”
Plans also include a 20,000 square feet putting green and putting course as well as a two-acre short game with three greens.
Construction is scheduled to be completed in late 2023, with the course expected to reopen in 2024.