The Lonnie Poole Golf Course at N.C. State, created by Arnold Palmer Design Company, remains on schedule and is beginning to take shape on Centennial Campus. Construction on the 6,915-yard, par-71 course course began in summer of 2007 and is set to open in April of 2009.
Becky Bumgardner, executive director of university development, is very optimistic about the progression of the new course.
“There’s a lot of green sod laid. It’s really looking like a great golf course,” Bumgardner said. “Weather permitting, we will remain on schedule for the grand opening with Arnold Palmer.”
Not only will the course serve as a new venue to the general public, but it will also provide N.C. State with many benefits. The University is one of 16 schools that has been accredited by the PGA of America and offers a B.S. in Professional Golf Management, but it has never had a course for field study.
Students in turfgrass management; parks, recreation and tourism management; sport management and business will all be able to use the golf course as an outdoor classroom. NCSU’s men’s and women’s golf teams will also have a course to call home.
Brian Cox, a sophomore in communications and an avid golfer, said the golf course will be easier to reach for students.
“I’m excited for when the course opens so I won’t have to go as far away from campus to play,” he said. “It sounds like it will provide a new, challenging round of golf.”
The Wolfpack varsity golf teams will have early access to the course. Member rates and green fees have not been determined, but prices will be competitive with other area courses. There will be rates available for students, faculty and alumni.
“Prices are projected to be similar to the courses at Duke and Carolina,” Bumgardner said. “They will be a little bit more than the RGA Golf Course.”
Green fees at Raleigh Golf Association range from $25 to $50. Naming rights for some facility rooms, cart paths, target greens and porches are still up for grabs.
“We’re still raising money and looking for generous donors, but the course is coming along really good,” Bumgardner said. “There’s been a lot of great responses at this point.”
Ron Gilmore, golf course superintendent, said he is pleased with the growth of the greens.
“Generally, developing the greens is a two- or three-month process, and we’re taking it to the wire, making sure everything goes smoothly,” Gilmore said.
With the exception of holes two, three, 15 and 16, all holes have been grassed. Sodding of the entire holes has been underway and will be complete by mid-September.
“We will have to come in to do cool season grassing, starting the first week of September, along with seeding the greens,” Gilmore said. “Then they will have the fall and spring to grow.”
One of Gilmore’s favorite aspects of the golf course is the elevation of the 11th tee box. From the box, players can look out over the downtown area and the Raleigh skyline. Western Boulevard and the surrounding campus can also be seen, including the State College smokestack.
The course is in the process of being certified as a Signature Audubon Golf Course on the silver level. Design and construction has been supplemented by the Audubon International Signature Program to develop sustainable development and management practices. The program ensures both economic and environmental objectives are achieved.
“Lonnie Poole will be unique, as it will have many native areas to create the look of a prairie-type setting,” Gilmore said.
There will be large amounts of wildlife, including deer, groundhogs, muskrats, squirrels, rabbits and foxes. Fine fescues and little bluestem grasses have grown around the Bermuda fairways, making the course look more natural. The grass blends at the course will offer challenging greens and bunkers.
