The grand re-opening of the 94-year-old course was scheduled to be held on October 26, after a seven-month, $2.5 million renovation that included complete green replacements and many other enhancements directed by World Golf Hall of Famer Tony Jacklin. The club also renovated its pool facilities to create a resort-style experience, with private cabanas, a new playground, the Palm Café and a planned commercial-grade tube slide.
After a seven-month, $2.5 million renovation, Bradenton (Fla.) Country Club, a private and member-owned club that was established in 1924, was scheduled to have a Grand Re-Opening of its signature 18-hole Donald Ross golf course on October 26th.
Along with the golf course renovation, Bradenton CC renovated its pool facilities into a resort-style experience with private cabanas, a new playground, the Palm Café, and a planned commercial-grade tube slide.
The club also features a fitness center, seven Har-Tru tennis courts, two full-service restaurants, six dedicated pickleball courts and a pro shop.
The renovation of the entire golf course that was completed over the summer included complete green replacements, with Tif Eagle and Tif Grand on the collars.
Other parts of the renovation included:
- new and updated drainage and sand for bunkers, using G-angle USGA sand;
- convertsion of greenside irrigation to electrical;
- all fairways and roughs stripped and sprigged with Celebration® Bermuda Grass;
- existing cart paths removed and replaced with crushed limestone;
- addition of six large waste areas, to re-capture the original Donald Ross design;
- updates of several tee boxes;
- removal of illusion bunkers;
- sprigging of the driving range;
- updating landscaping and arbors.
After the full-till of the course, the growing process took approximately six months.
The renovation was overseen by World Golf Hall of Famer and two-time major champion Tony Jacklin. “Our golf members will now be treated to an unprecedented playing experience and the changes will ensure success for the club’s future,” Jacklin said.
Bradenton CC’s par-71 Donald Ross signature design stretches over 6,700 yards from the back tees, and has hosted numerous regional and local tournaments, including the Men’s and Women’s Florida State Senior Amateur, the West Coast Florida Golf Tour, and a U.S. Women’s Open Qualifier.