and we are thrilled that The Refuge will be among the
first to adopt it!”
Crace explains that the Longleaf System also helps
him resolve another issue inherent in the infrastructure
of the current design of the course. “It’s a strange
situation where the course has simultaneously become
too tight for higher handicappers and too short for lower
handicappers—leaving us in a golfing ‘no man’s land.’
The conditioning of the course and the setting [a golf-
only core course with no development around it] has
been what attracts golfers, but when we re-open there
will be no negatives. Every golfer within 100 miles will
answer ‘The Refuge’ when they’re asked where they
want to go play.”
Crace will have an on-site project office and expects
to be on-site “pretty much daily” for the duration of
the project. “Since our management company operates
the course and I live close by, I will be able to be here
with [superintendent and Watermark agronomist] Bill
[Whatley, GCSAA] and Randy and work even closer
with the contractor than we normally would be able to
on a renovation project. That adds immense value to
the finished product.”
When asked about the upcoming renovations, Gary
Rhoads, longtime Mayor of Flowood, was quick to
note that “this is not just a facelift or an update. This
is a full renovation that will re-position The Refuge
as the premier golf destination throughout Central
Mississippi. With a world-class hotel and conference
center adjacent to it and the Jackson International
Airport across the highway, there will be nothing else like
it in the Magnolia State for golfers, families, and anyone
wanting to just play golf or get away for recreation, a
vacation, or even a business trip. You can literally walk
from the hotel lobby into the golf shop and get in your
cart and drive to the first tee. It’s going to be great!”
“When we re-open for play,” Crace began. “Golfers
won’t recognize the course. It will feel like a destination
course with the hotel and the amenities available there.
Players can expect the same great course conditioning
plus TifEagle greens, but every hole will be drastically
better with wider corridors and a different look.
When golfers walk off the 18th green, I want them to
immediately call their friends and say ‘You’ve got to
come play this course!’ For us, that’s the ultimate goal.”
For more information about Watermark Golf, visit
www.watermarkgolf.com/design. For more information
about the American Society of Golf Course Architects,
visit www.asgca.org For more information about The
Refuge, visit www.refugegolf.com
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